JOHANNESBURG - The sweet life of local beekeepers is turning bitter as theft and poisoning take a heavy toll on their hives.
They are facing a triple threat of theft, poisoning and unfair trade.
Since COVID-19, thieves have been swarming the sector, as agricultural chemicals wipe out entire colonies.
The SA Bee Industry Organisation says another sting is cheap imports hurting local producers.
"We need, and this is what we are working on in collaboration with government, in terms of fair trade combating this influx of honey that is not substandard and it's not authentic," said the organisation's Tumi Mobu.