Honeybees produce honey and other hive products (e.g. pollen, propolis, beeswax, royal jelly) for which there are unsatisfied local and export markets. Honeybees pollinate flowers, both wild and cultivated, and are crucially important to the environment and commercial crop production.  The role the honeybee plays in ensuring the diversity of Northern Ireland's flora and fauna cannot be over emphasised. Because they are kept in observable units (colonies in hives), honeybees may be used to monitor pollution of and/or, changes in the environment.  In the future they may used to distribute fungicides to crops. Beekeeping supports ancillary industries, such as the manufacturers and suppliers of hives and equipment and publishers of beekeeping books and magazines as well as the retailers of products. Size and Structure of the Ulster industry: It is estimated that there are 1000 beekeepers in Ulster  that can be found, both in rural and urban areas. They keep bees on a part-time basis and come from a wide variety of backgrounds crossing all areas of the social, religious, political and gender divide. On average they keep five hives, but this varies according to circumstances, from one to over fifty per beekeeper.

	Many Ulster beekeepers practise migratory beekeeping i.e.move hives to different locations throughout the season, e.g. from the orchards of Armagh, to oilseed rape,to the heather of the Mourne or Sperrin mountains. This is essential to maximise output of honey, except in very favoured locations, such as areas rich in clover swards, hedges and trees.  The yield of honey varies according to weather and other factors, but on average is about 25 kg per colony per year.  The overall output of honey in Northern Ireland is estimated to be 125 tonnes per year.
Heather time in the Mournes

Irish honey is renowned for its quality. It has an excellent image and can command a premium price. This may range from £6.00 to £8.00 per kg depending on quantity and presentation.  Its overall value is estimated to be about £750,000 per year. In addition to honey production, honeybees are used extensively to pollinate fruit and crops. The 250 growers in Co. Armagh, who have about 1800 ha. of apple trees, require 5000 hives each spring to pollinate their crops properly. They are willing to pay £30 per hive for the pollination service but the current number of hives in Northern Ireland could not possibly satisfy this need.  The prospect of the Varroa mite reducing the number of colonies still further is causing serious concern among growers. Growers of strawberries and other glasshouse crops are also showing increasing interest in honeybees for pollination. Although beekeepers are sole traders, they do co-operate in many ways. They have formed local groups or associations to exchange ideas and organise educational and social activities for their members.  The Ulster Beekeepers' Association (UBKA), is the umbrella body, which consists of representatives from each of the nine local Affiliated Associations, organises activities of educational and general interest to beekeepers, culminating in its annual showcase, the UBKA Annual Conference.  It also lobbies Government on behalf of Ulster's beekeepers. Committee meetings and the Annual Conference of the UBKA are normally held at Greenmount College of Agriculture and Horticulture, Antrim. All Associations have improved their apiary sites recently, with assistance of Leader II funding. They are now in a much stronger position to provide support for their members and to develop beekeeping in their area.