Company creates a buzz as interest grows in beekeeping

Creating a buzz: Steve Kitney says interest in beekeeping has grown massively over the past few years.

by Janine Hill

The apiary section of this year’s Sunshine Coast Show was given a boost by a local business supporting a growth in beekeeping.

When Bee Positive, Yandina, was approached to offer $100 in sponsorship for the section, it responded not only in the affirmative but put up $1400 in vouchers.

“I’m just trying to bring more incentive for people for more people to put things into the show,” said owner Steve Kitney.

Steve said interest in beekeeping had grown massively not only locally but throughout the world over the past few years.

“Not so much Australia but a lot of countries are having a shortage of bees and basically, if you don’t have bees, you don’t have food production,” he said.

Bee Positive has grown in line with increased interest in beekeeping.

The business started about seven years ago

as a response to a slow down in Steve’s previous business, which manufactured motorcycle trailers and sold motorcycle tow bars.

“Business had dropped off and we had a mortgage to pay, a couple of them,” he said.

“I was a beekeeper and started doing a little section in our showroom as beekeeping and it took up the whole factory.”

“In our first year, I brought in one container of equipment. So far this year, I’ve already brought in five or six containers.”

Bee Positive has become one of the biggest stores of its kind in Australia and sells everything that beekeepers, from hobbyists to professionals, need, including hives, tools and clothing, and reference books.

Steve said beekeeping was not as hard as some people thought and the key was to make it as easy as possible with suitable gear.

“You’ve got to enjoy it because as soon as it becomes a chore, it doesn’t get done,” he said.

▶ www.beepositive.com.au