World Bee Day: Why Bees Are Essential to Food and Wellness
Key Takeaways
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World Bee Day, celebrated each year on 20 May, serves as a global reminder of the essential role bees play in sustaining ecosystems, food systems, and biodiversity across the globe. It is an opportunity to appreciate how profoundly pollinators influence daily life - from the food we consume to the natural health products we trust.
Among the many ways bees contribute to human health and wellbeing, one of the most unique is through the production of Manuka honey.
Manuka honey comes from the nectar of the Leptospermum plant, native only to Australia and New Zealand. It is widely recognised for its natural health-supporting uses, including immune support, wound care, gut health, and skin applications, with these uses explored in peer-reviewed scientific research.
The strength of Manuka honey is measured by MGO (methylglyoxal), a naturally occurring compound that indicates potency. The higher the MGO number, the greater the concentration, strength, and value of the honey. You can explore this further in our Manuka Honey Strength Chart.
| MGO | Strength | Grade | Suggested Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGO 30+ to 290+ | Everyday Strength | Table Grade | Wellbeing, Immunity |
| MGO 300+ to 490+ | Medicinal Strength | Therapeutic Grade | Sore throats, coughs, colds & flu, oral care |
| MGO 500+ to 990+ | High Medicinal Strength | Therapeutic Grade+ | |
| MGO 1000+ to 1900+ (Rare) | Superior Strength | Medical Grade | Burns, wounds, ulcers, infections, gut health |
| MGO 2200+ (Limited Edition) | Ultimate Strength | Medical Grade+ |
The Australian story behind our bees
Australia’s beekeeping story began in 1822, when European honey bees were first introduced at Sydney Cove. These bees adapted quickly to Australia’s diverse landscapes, forming the foundation of today’s thriving honey industry.
Today, Australia is home to more than 1,500 native bee species, each contributing to pollination in its own way. However, it is the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) that underpins most commercial honey production, including the cultivation of premium Australian Manuka honey that Biosota exports globally.
At Biosota, this connection to the Australian environment is central to our philosophy. Our bee sites are located in remote, pristine regions where bees forage freely in natural bushland. This supports both hive health and the production of high-quality Manuka honey shaped by Australia’s unique flora and climate.
Our approach reflects three generations of beekeeping expertise, where bees thrive best in stable, undisturbed ecosystems and Manuka honey is produced with minimal intervention.
Why Bees Are Essential to Global Food Systems
Across both Australia and the United States, bees play a vital role in supporting agriculture and food supply. Honey bees are central to pollinating agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide, with pollinators estimated to influence around 35% of global crop production, supporting the yield and quality of many fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds (1).
In Australia, honey bee pollination supports billions of dollars in agricultural output annually (2). A similar reliance exists across North America, where many staple crops depend on healthy bee populations. This shared dependence highlights a global reality - without bees, food systems would be significantly impacted.
Beyond agriculture, bees support biodiversity by enabling plant reproduction and maintaining balanced ecosystems. Their contribution extends far beyond honey, underpinning the health of natural environments worldwide.
The Growing Threats to Bee Populations
Despite their importance, bee populations face increasing pressure worldwide. In both Australia and the United States, common challenges include:
- Habitat loss and reduced floral diversity
- Exposure to pesticides and herbicides
- Disease and parasites
- Climate variability
In Australia, the spread of the Varroa mite also represents an emerging threat to European honey bees, reinforcing the importance of responsible, sustainable beekeeping practices.
Supporting Bee Health Through Responsible Beekeeping
Healthy bees depend on thriving natural ecosystems and careful hive management. At Biosota, our practices are designed to support natural bee behaviour while protecting long-term hive health.
This includes:
- Selecting remote bee sites away from agriculture and pollutants
- Managing hives without antibiotics
- Allowing bees to forage freely in natural environments
- Avoiding overstocking to reduce colony stress
- Cold-extracting honey to preserve its natural properties
Every batch of our Manuka honey is independently tested to verify purity and MGO potency, ensuring consistent quality from hive to jar.
Protecting bees, sustaining our future
World Bee Day is a moment to reflect on the global importance of bees - from Australian bushland to American farmlands. While the environments may differ, the message is the same: protecting bees is essential to sustaining ecosystems, agriculture, and human wellbeing.
For those in the United States seeking high-quality Manuka honey, understanding where and how it is produced matters. Australian Manuka honey offers a unique connection to pristine landscapes, careful beekeeping, and scientifically measured potency.
Explore Biosota’s high-MGO Manuka honey range to experience the purity, strength, and craftsmanship shaped by Australia’s remarkable bees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Bee Day and when is it celebrated?
World Bee Day is observed annually on 20 May. It was established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the vital role bees and pollinators play in ecosystems and food production.
Why are bees important in both Australia and the United States?
Bees support food production by pollinating crops essential to both countries’ agricultural systems. Without them, the availability and quality of many foods would be significantly reduced.
When were honey bees introduced to Australia?
European honey bees were first successfully introduced in 1822 at Sydney Cove, forming the foundation of Australia’s commercial honey industry.
What makes Australian Manuka honey unique?
Australian Manuka honey is derived from native Leptospermum species and is valued for its naturally high MGO content, which determines its strength, concentration, and overall quality.
How does Biosota support bee health?
Biosota uses remote, pristine bee sites and low-intervention beekeeping practices to support healthy hives, with every batch independently tested for purity and verified MGO strength.
References
- FAO, Pollination, 2023, Available at: https://www.fao.org/pollination/about/en
- Gillespie, R., Clarke, M., & Frost, E., Value of honey bee pollination to the Australian economy, 2024, NSW Parliament, Available at: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lcdocs/other/22743/24-111-value-of-pollination.pdf