How old is beekeeping in Egypt?

Beekeeping in Egypt is over 4,000 years old. Tomb paintings from around 2400 BC show Egyptians tending clay hives and harvesting honey.

What was honey used for in ancient Egypt?

Honey was used as a sweetener, preservative, and medicine. It was offered to the gods, included in pharaohs’ tombs, and even used as currency in trade.

What kind of hives did ancient Egyptians use?

Ancient Egyptians used horizontal clay tube hives that were stacked together. These designs allowed them to move hives and harvest honey without destroying colonies.

Which honey bee species live in Egypt today?

Egypt is home to the native Apis mellifera lamarckii, a smaller heat-tolerant bee, and also imported European honey bees used in modern beekeeping.

How much honey does Egypt produce?

Egypt produces thousands of tons of honey annually, ranking among the top producers in Africa and the Middle East. Much of this honey is exported worldwide.

What flowers and plants do Egyptian bees use for nectar?

Egyptian bees forage on clover, citrus blossoms, wildflowers, and Nile river flora, which give Egyptian honey its distinctive flavors.

What challenges does beekeeping in Egypt face today?

Beekeeping in Egypt is challenged by climate change affecting nectar flow, pesticide use, imported bee competition, and the spread of bee diseases.

How can sustainable beekeeping help in Egypt?

Sustainable practices like planting nectar-rich flowers, reducing pesticide use, and protecting native bees help secure the future of Egypt’s honey industry.

Is beekeeping still an important industry in Egypt?

Yes. Beekeeping remains a major agricultural industry in Egypt, supporting rural communities and producing honey for both domestic consumption and export.

Why is Egyptian honey valued worldwide?

Egyptian honey is prized for its purity, distinctive floral sources, and rich history. It is exported to markets across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.

Beekeeping in Egypt: From Ancient Traditions to a Modern Honey Industry

Q: What did bees symbolize in ancient Egypt?

Bees symbolized rebirth, immortality, and divine order. Goddesses like Renenutet and Nekhbet were often associated with bees in Egyptian spirituality.

Pete Rizzo
Jan 21, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Sep 5

Beekeeping in Egypt is still a huge industry today

Egypt Beekeeping: A Journey Back in Time

Beekeeping in Egypt is one of the oldest traditions in human history. From the hieroglyphs carved into temple walls to the thriving honey markets of Cairo today, Egypt’s connection with bees has never faded.

The land of the Nile is not only the birthplace of ancient apiculture but also home to a modern beekeeping industry that continues to play an important role in agriculture and culture.

Ancient Beekeeping in Egypt

When most people think of Egypt, they picture pyramids, pharaohs, and the mighty Nile. But the Egyptians were also among the earliest beekeepers in recorded history.

Beekeeping scenes appear in tomb paintings dating back to 2400 BC, showing Egyptians carefully tending to clay hives and pouring golden honey into jars.

Honey in ancient Egypt was far more than a sweet treat. It was used:

As a natural preservative and sweetener.
In religious offerings to the gods.
As medicine in healing salves and remedies.
Even as currency in trade and payment.

The Egyptians recognized honey’s value as both sacred and practical.

Bees themselves were symbols of rebirth, immortality, and divine order. Goddesses like Renenutet and Nekhbet were often associated with bees, showing how deeply apiculture was tied to Egyptian spirituality.

In many ways, the Egyptians were the first bee biologists. They understood how to move hives, control swarming, and harvest honey without destroying colonies. Their methods laid the foundation for much of what we practice in beekeeping today.

Bees and ancient Egypt have a long storied past

Modern Beekeeping in Egypt Today

Fast forward to the present, and Egypt remains a leader in apiculture. With its warm climate, diverse flowering plants, and long tradition of beekeeping, Egypt supports a honey industry that supplies both domestic and international markets.

Honey Production and Exports

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Egypt produces thousands of tons of honey annually, making it one of the largest honey producers in the Middle East and Africa.

Egyptian honey is exported worldwide, valued for its quality and distinctive floral sources.

The Egyptian Honey Bee

One of the most fascinating aspects of Egyptian beekeeping is the native bee subspecies, Apis mellifera lamarckii.

This bee is smaller and more heat-tolerant than many European honey bees, making it well-suited to Egypt’s desert climate.

Today, both native and introduced bees are kept, helping sustain honey production throughout the country.

Challenges Facing Beekeepers

Despite its success, Egyptian beekeeping faces challenges, including:

Climate change affecting nectar flows along the Nile.
Pesticide use and its impact on bee health.
Competition between native bees and imported breeds.
The risk of disease spreading in dense apiaries.

These pressures highlight the importance of sustainable practices, just as in beekeeping worldwide.

Sustainable Beekeeping: Protecting the Future

Egypt’s history teaches us that bees and humans have thrived together for thousands of years. To ensure that continues, sustainable beekeeping is essential.

Planting nectar-rich flowers, protecting native bee species, and reducing pesticide reliance all play a role in safeguarding the future of bees in Egypt and beyond.

Even something as simple as supporting local honey producers helps preserve this ancient legacy. Every jar of honey carries with it not only the hard work of the bees but also the wisdom of countless generations of Egyptian beekeepers.

The Legacy of Beekeeping in Egypt

Beekeeping in Egypt is not just history, it is a living tradition. From ancient clay hives to modern wooden boxes, the story of Egyptian apiculture is one of resilience, ingenuity, and deep respect for the honey bee.

Think of the jars of golden honey buried with pharaohs, the buzzing hives along riverbanks, and the hardworking beekeepers who carry this tradition forward today. The Egyptians are an amazing culture, with probably the most interesting history, I have read about.

Egypt’s bees remind us that some of the most enduring legacies of civilization are not carved in stone, but alive in the hum of a hive.

Betsy and Pete

Vegas Bees

Las Vegas, Nevada

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About Us: The Authors

We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.

We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.

Our Commitment to Excellence

Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.

We also provide top-tier beekeeping supplies, offering everything a beekeeper needs, from beginners to experts.