Production and marketing of honey in Khon Kaen province

Abstract

This research was aimed at studying cost, revenue and profit, marketing channel, marketing margins, problems and recommendations. The production and marketing data used in this study were purposively selected from beekeepers, wholesalers and retailers by using questionnaire. The results of cost revenue and profit from honey showed that the beekeeperûs price or revenue was 113.00 baht per kilogram. The total cost of honey was 28.83 baht per kilogram, comprising total variable cost of 26.40 baht per kilogram and total fixed cost of 2.43 baht per kilogram. For the profit from honey was 84.17 baht per kilogram. There were 3 marketing channels of the honey. The most important channel of honey started from beekeepers wholesalers retailers consumers. Marketing efficiency was measured by marketing margins, consisting of marketing costs and merchantûs profit (commissions). The marketing margins of honey was 37.00 baht per kilogram or 24.67% of the retail or consumer price, comprising the marketing cost of 15.55 baht per kilogram or 10.37% of the retail or consumer price and merchantûs profit of 21.45 baht per kilogram or 14.30% of the retail or consumer price. Production problems were divided into 4 main problems. Firstly, Beekeepers had no experience in taking care the bees because of their lack of knowledge and understanding. Secondary, costs of taking care the bees were very high and equipments were very expensive. Thirdly, There were not enough natural food for the bees. Finally, Beekeepers did not transform honey to multipurpose. Recommendations, the beekeepers could develop the second career, beekeeping, to be main occupation if they were able to plan production and to control production cost.