Potential Impact

Cost

A second bee hive would result in additional costs in terms of purchasing a hive or hive materials and the bees, as well as additional personal equipment if preferred. There may also be costs associated with maintaining hive health, such as disease inspection, forage planting and supplemental feeding.

Profit

A second honey bee hive can potentially result in profit gains if the hives are able to provide excess honey. In 2009, the value of honey per pound was 3.746 dollars¹. A honey production company in Africa documented that in Kenya, the Langstroth hive produces about 45 – 60Kg (99-132 lbs) of honey in one year². Therefore, if hives at the LFSOG are able to produce the same amount of honey, then the LFSOG will profit 33.71-157.33 dollars per hive, while leaving 90 pounds of honey in the bee hive.

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¹ Canadian Honey Council. (2009). Production and Value of Honey and Maple Products. Retrieved from: http://www.honeycouncil.ca/documents/Honey%20and%20maple%20production%202009.pdf
² Honey Care Africa. (2005). What is the production capacity of the Langstroth Hive versus the traditional hives and KTBH? Retrieved from http://www.honeycareafrica.com/files/faqs.php