Project Highlights
Funders
The Body Shop
Partners
Bees for Development
Implementation dates
December 2018
-
May 2019
Commodities
Beeswax
Honey
Beneficiaries
900 producers
About the project
SAN led an independent assessment of beeswax and honey harvesting in The Body Shop’s Ethiopian supply chain to provide a rigorous view of environmental, social, and animal-welfare impacts. Working with Bees for Development, the study combined literature review, stakeholder consultations, beekeeper interviews, and on-site observations across a cohort of 900 producers in Southwest Ethiopia. The research explored whether forest beekeeping is ecologically sustainable, how honey harvesting affects individual bees and colony reproduction, and the broader implications for forests and communities. The findings are designed to inform potential long-term support, maximize benefits for local people, and address environmental risks without compromising bee populations.
Outcomes
Drawing on desk and field research, the study examined Ethiopia’s forest beekeeping to understand its benefits and risks, quantify the economic value for producers and communities, and recognize its role in tradition and social cohesion. The work also identified key social and environmental impacts and delivered practical recommendations to strengthen sustainability while safeguarding livelihoods and culture.