Last week, the Latvian Beekeepers’ Society (LBB) revealed the results of a honey quality study, and the findings were concerning. Out of 20 honey samples purchased from major supermarket chains, only 6 met the standards for real honey. The LBB is now sounding the alarm about the widespread presence of fake honey, as reported by Latvian Radio on January 3.

Suspicion of Fake Honey Imports from China

LBB Chairman Valters Brusbārdis stated that Latvian beekeepers have long suspected that counterfeit honey is being imported from China.

„Every year, around 60,000 tonnes of honey are imported from China into the European Union. That’s a huge amount compared to Latvia’s annual honey production of just 2.3 to 2.4 thousand tonnes. We strongly suspect that some of this imported honey is not actually made by bees but is instead synthesized in factories,” he said.

According to EU regulations, a product can only be labeled as „honey” if it is 100% produced by bees in beehives. If laboratory tests reveal that imported honey is mixed with non-authentic substances, it should not be sold as honey at all.

Supermarkets Respond to Concerns

The honey samples tested by the LBB were taken from the supermarket chains Maxima, Rimi, Lidl, and Mere. In response, Maxima spokesperson Liene Dupate-Ugule assured that the company only works with officially registered honey suppliers.

„We will conduct our own thorough investigation and take necessary action if needed. We already collaborate with a certified laboratory in Latvia, and if our additional tests confirm quality issues, we will remove such products from our shelves. However, we must be careful not to make hasty decisions—we need to verify all the facts first,” she explained.

The Impact on Latvian Beekeepers

Brusbārdis emphasized that Latvian beekeepers have been struggling for years, mainly due to falling honey prices. Latvia produces more honey than it consumes, making exports to the EU essential for local beekeepers.

„Before the crisis, the wholesale price of honey in the EU ranged between €3.20 and €4 per kilogram. We mainly export to Poland and Germany, but now prices have dropped to around €2. Some Latvian beekeepers are even forced to sell honey for as little as €1.60 per kilogram—or in desperate cases, even €1. That’s way below production costs, meaning beekeepers are essentially paying out of their own pockets to keep working. It’s completely unsustainable,” he explained.

The Challenge of Regulating Honey Quality

The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD), which oversees honey production and sales in Latvia, says it is closely monitoring the situation. Last year, the PVD tested 33 honey samples, and all met current quality requirements. However, a major challenge is that a standardized method for detecting fake honey at the European level will not be developed until 2028.

Māris Eklons, head of the PVD’s plant products and organic farming unit, stated that Latvia is pushing for more regulation.

„We are raising this issue with the Ministry of Agriculture, and Latvian representatives are actively participating in European working groups. In 2025, we will increase our focus on honey quality and traceability. We will conduct more tests and send the results to the European Commission to encourage a common approach. Since the EU is a single market, Chinese honey often enters through other countries like Germany, making it difficult to control imports. Until stricter regulations are in place, we encourage consumers to buy locally produced Latvian honey, which we can trust,” Eklons said.

The Future of Latvian Beekeeping

The LBB currently has over 3,600 members, while the total number of beekeepers in Latvia is estimated at between 4,000 and 5,000. The fight against fake honey and unfair market competition remains a key issue for the industry. Until European regulations are improved, Latvian beekeepers and consumers alike will need to stay vigilant about the honey they buy and support local producers whenever possible.