Fake ‘Coorg Honey’ Flooding Karnataka Markets, Warn Beekeepers

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Bengaluru: Beekeepers and scientists have raised concerns over increasing adulteration and misleading branding in Karnataka’s honey market, warning that the trend is damaging consumer confidence and hurting genuine producers. Industry stakeholders alleged that low-cost honey procured from other States is being repackaged and marketed as premium Coorg honey in several parts of Karnataka.

The issue was highlighted during a World Honey Day programme organised at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. Participants stressed the need for stronger certification mechanisms and better testing infrastructure to protect authentic honey producers and maintain product quality.

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Ramapratheek Kariyal, founder of Gramajanya Farmer Producer Company, said market studies conducted by the organisation revealed that honey varieties such as litchi honey sourced from States including Bihar and Gujarat were being sold under labels claiming them to be Coorg or locally produced honey. He said such practices were affecting efforts to establish a distinct identity for honey produced in Kodagu, even as initiatives are underway to obtain a geographical indication (GI) tag for Coorg honey.

He also pointed out that Kerala has managed to create a stronger market image for its locally sourced honey, especially honey collected from rubber plantation regions, giving producers there a branding advantage.

University of Agricultural Sciences-Bengaluru Vice-Chancellor S.V. Suresha said improving consumer trust would require a reliable and scientific quality verification system. He said the university, in collaboration with the Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre, has established a new honey testing laboratory and is currently compiling an extensive database on various honey quality parameters.

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Beekeepers said commercial beekeeping in Karnataka is still developing and lacks organised marketing support. Many producers called for a cooperative structure similar to Karnataka’s dairy sector to help strengthen production, branding and sales. Small-scale honey producers also complained about the limited availability of affordable testing facilities, which they said remains a major challenge.

The sector has additionally been affected by pest attacks this year, particularly due to the spread of the small hive beetle, which severely impacted bee colonies across several regions in 2025. Scientists said farmers are being guided on preventive measures, including the use of specialised traps to control infestations.

Apart from honey production, beekeepers are increasingly focusing on value-added products such as beeswax and bee pollen. Demand for bee pollination services has also grown significantly among horticulture farmers, particularly in north Karnataka.

P.R. Badari Prasad, Associate Professor of Entomology at UAS Raichur, said pomegranate growers in northern Karnataka are increasingly renting bee boxes for pollination, with rentals reaching nearly ₹3,000 per box for a season.

Scientists also cautioned against indiscriminate pesticide spraying, stating that excessive chemical use is contributing to declining bee populations. They urged farmers to carefully plan pesticide application schedules to reduce harm to pollinating bees.

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