Jiangshan Honey

Jiangshan Honey

　　Jiangshan Honey is a specialty of Jiangshan City, Quzhou, Zhejiang Province. Jiangshan is the largest beekeeping city (county) in China and was named the “Hometown of Chinese Bees” by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2001.

　　As the largest beekeeping city (county) in the country, Jiangshan has 252,300 beehives, making up 6.36% of the national total of Italian bee colonies. For 16 consecutive years, the scale and economic benefits of its beekeeping industry have ranked first among all counties (cities) in China. In 2001, it was named the “Hometown of Chinese Bees” by the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　As early as before 2001, Jiangshan took the lead nationwide in establishing five Zhejiang local series standards including “Bee Breeds,” “Hive Management,” and “Disease Prevention,” as well as two national standards: “Safety Requirements for Pollution-Free Bee Products” and “Environmental Requirements for the Production Areas of Pollution-Free Bee Products.” At the same time, it set up a National Spark Program Technology Innovation Center at Hengliang Company, a Western Zhejiang Bee Industry Science and Technology Innovation Center at Jiankang Company, and the Qianhong Bee Industry Research Institute at Qianhong Company, providing strong technological support for the development of the city’s beekeeping industry. In 2002, Hengliang Bee Products Company, focusing on organic and green practices, was the first to break through trade barriers, gaining approval to export its products to the European Union. Other enterprises quickly followed suit, achieving a “breakthrough rebirth.” After the EU lifted its ban in 2005, Jiangshan’s bee products were the first to pass EU inspections and entered the European market comprehensively. Later, Jiangshan bee products also successfully overcame Japan’s “green barriers.” Twenty percent of Japan’s imported royal jelly and honey come from Jiangshan.