Kenya Launches Africa’s First Bee Venom Marketplace for Farmers

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Kenya has launched Africa’s first structured marketplace for bee venom, offering farmers a new opportunity to tap into a lucrative global bioeconomy.

The initiative, unveiled in Utawala, Nairobi, by Co-operatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Savannah Honey CEO Kyalo Mutua, aims to expand the country’s beekeeping sector beyond honey production. Beekeeping in Kenya has traditionally focused on honey, but the new marketplace introduces venom as a valuable additional product, alongside honey, beeswax, and propolis.

At a price of Sh4,000 per gram, venom is one of the most profitable natural products for farmers. A single hive can yield around 10 grams of venom per year, offering potential earnings of Sh40,000 annually. With 50 hives, farmers could earn Sh2 million per year from venom alone, and this figure could double with 100 hives. These profits are in addition to income from other hive products, providing farmers with a diversified source of revenue.

The global demand for bee venom is growing, with the market valued at $438 million and projected to reach $726 million by 2036. Pharmaceutical companies value its anti-inflammatory properties, while the cosmetic industry uses it in anti-ageing products.

Savannah Honey has already secured export orders and is aiming to contract 10,000 hives within six months to meet this demand. Mr Mutua emphasised the importance of meeting international quality standards, stating that the demand is already real.

Until now, venom harvesting in Kenya has been informal and inconsistent. The new marketplace introduces traceability systems, quality assurance protocols, and training for farmers to ensure reliable, high-quality supply.

Venom is harvested using specialised equipment that triggers the bees to release venom in a controlled manner, ensuring both safety for the bees and high-quality product. These measures are essential for meeting the strict standards of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Mr Oparanya highlighted the role of cooperatives in driving the sector’s growth, as organised farmers can pool resources, invest in necessary equipment, and negotiate better prices. Savannah Honey currently works with nearly 16,000 contracted farmers and has a workforce of over 100 employees, supported by hundreds of community mobilisers. As venom production increases, employment opportunities are expected to grow.