By 
Kenyan beekeepers are beginning to tap into the fast-growing global market for bee venom, a high-value product used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical research.
Industry players say the emerging subsector could significantly increase farmer incomes by expanding revenue streams beyond traditional honey production. Globally, the bee venom extracts market is valued at about $438 million (Sh70 billion) and is projected to grow to $726 million by 2036, driven by rising demand for natural medical and skincare ingredients.
In Kenya, bee venom sells for approximately Sh4,000 per gram, making it one of the most valuable products obtained from a beehive. At that price, a kilogram of venom can fetch up to Sh4 million, far exceeding the value of conventional bee products such as honey or beeswax.
A well-managed hive can produce around 10 grams of venom annually, translating to roughly Sh40,000 per hive each year from venom alone. For farmers operating larger apiaries, the earnings can grow significantly.
A beekeeper managing 50 hives could generate about Sh2 million annually, while those running 100 hives could earn up to Sh4 million, excluding additional income from honey and other hive products.
Agribusiness firm Savannah Honey is among the companies driving the commercialisation of bee venom farming in Kenya through contract-based partnerships with smallholder farmers.
The company works with more than 15,000 contracted farmers across Kenya and the wider East African region, offering training, equipment, and guaranteed markets for hive products.
Under the contract model, farmers supply products including honey, propolis, royal jelly, beeswax, and bee venom at agreed prices. Current indicative prices offered to farmers include Sh500 per kilogram for honey, Sh700 for beeswax, Sh1,900 for propolis, Sh38,000 for royal jelly, and Sh4,000 per gram for bee venom.
The arrangement provides farmers with stable markets and predictable income while reducing reliance on brokers who often offer lower farm-gate prices.
The company has also established collection centres in key production areas to simplify delivery and speed up payments to farmers. Produce delivered to these centres is typically paid for within 24 hours through mobile money or bank transfers, improving liquidity for rural households.
Bee venom is harvested using specialised electronic collectors placed at hive entrances. The equipment stimulates bees to release venom onto glass plates, where it dries into crystals that can be collected without harming the insects.
Unlike honey harvesting, which occurs only a few times each year, venom extraction can be conducted more regularly, creating a consistent income stream for farmers.
Experts say the diversification of hive products is transforming beekeeping into a more resilient agribusiness. In addition to venom, farmers can earn from honey, beeswax, pollen, propolis, and pollination services from the same colony.
For Kenya, the shift toward high-value apiculture products also presents export opportunities. Demand for bee venom continues to rise globally due to its use in anti-inflammatory drugs, skincare products, and alternative medical treatments.
With favourable climatic conditions for beekeeping and increasing private sector investment, stakeholders believe Kenya could become a competitive supplier of bee venom and other premium bee products.
For rural farmers, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas where crop farming can be unreliable, modern beekeeping is emerging as a low-cost enterprise capable of generating steady income while supporting environmental conservation through pollination.
Comments