Tongzi Honey

Tongzi Honey

Tongzi Honey is a protected geographical indication product.

　　In recent years, the beekeeping industry in Tongzi County, Guizhou Province has developed rapidly. Beekeeping does not occupy arable land, compete with agriculture for water or fertilizer, is unaffected by location constraints, saves labor, and has low production costs, making it a new contribution to rural economic development. It has become an effective way for some rural households in the county to escape poverty and achieve prosperity. Tongzi County has extensive vegetation coverage and a rich variety of nectar and pollen plants, with flowers blooming all year round, allowing full use of this natural advantage to vigorously develop beekeeping. The county currently has 12,800 beehives (boxes or colonies), including 8,700 Chinese honeybee hives and 4,100 Italian honeybee hives. There are over 1,520 beekeeping households, with an output value of 110 million yuan. It is estimated that the average annual growth rate of beekeeping production in the county is 13%. By three years later (2018), the number of beehives could reach over 16,000, including 11,000 Chinese honeybee hives. In December 2014, the county government issued a subsidy policy for the beekeeping industry, specifically supporting the development of the Chinese honeybee, a unique and key domestic beekeeping species in China. Beekeeping households that raise a certain number of Chinese honeybees (an average of 20–50 hives or more per household) will receive an incentive subsidy of 100–200 yuan per hive upon passing year-end inspections. Meanwhile, Tongzi County is actively applying for origin certification of Tongzi Chinese honeybees and pollution-free product certification for Tongzi Honey. These measures lay a solid foundation for the sustainable and healthy development of the county’s beekeeping industry, especially the Chinese honeybee sector.

　　The production area of Tongzi Honey covers the current administrative region of Tongzi County, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province.

　　“Request from the County People's Government on Delimiting the Protected Geographical Indication Area of Tongzi Honey” Tongfu Cheng [2016] No. 55

　　Guizhou Provincial Local Standard:

　　“Protected Geographical Indication Product – Tongzi Honey” (Draft)