Himachal mead venture aims to boost honey demand

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Mead maker targets annual honey use of 50–60 tonnes within 18 months

Dharamshala : Himachal Pradesh’s honey producers could gain access to an alternative market as a company explores mead production using locally sourced honey. The initiative aims to create additional demand for honey and reduce beekeepers’ dependence on traditional markets and middlemen.

Arpit Kumar Pandey, founder of the Hive Born brand, said the initiative seeks to develop a new market for Himachal honey through mead, a fermented alcoholic beverage made from honey. Beekeepers often face fluctuating prices and difficulty selling their produce, so alternative procurement channels are important to sustain their livelihoods.

Pandey said the product has been launched in Himachal Pradesh, with supplies reaching Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Kangra, Dharamshala, Baddi and Solan. He described the initial sales and repeat purchases as encouraging, although the claims have not been independently verified.

The company plans to expand into Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa and other major cities, while also exploring potential international markets.

Pandey said the company aims to produce two to three batches per month over the next one to one-and-a-half years, depending on its production capacity. He estimated that this could lead to annual honey consumption of 50–60 tonnes. The figure is a projected target and does not represent current procurement levels.

Regular purchases could provide beekeepers with an additional avenue to sell their produce, particularly during periods of low market prices. However, the benefits will depend on actual procurement volumes, market demand, and the prices offered to producers.

The company is also exploring establishing a production facility over the next two to three years. Pandey said local residents would be given preference for employment if the plan materialises. The proposed facility could create opportunities in processing, packaging, transportation and distribution, although the number of jobs and the project timeline have not yet been specified.

For Himachal Pradesh’s beekeeping sector, the initiative could offer an additional route to market if it translates into sustained honey procurement. Its long-term impact will depend on the company’s ability to expand sales, ensure regular purchases, and provide a reliable market for local producers.