It sounds threatening, but it’s no understatement. Kevin McGibbon is the past president of the  Victorian Apiarists' Association, and he’s a very forthright man.

He was speaking in his capacity as a beekeeper at the Central Victorian Apiarist’s Association (CVAA) annual conference held in Maryborough last Friday.

“Have a look around you. A lot of these people are in their 60s, 70s – even their 80s. They’re not young, and there’s a lot of hard work in beekeeping. We need to think about the future, because this is a vital industry,” says McGibbon.

The honey industry is on a high at the moment, with good prices being paid for almond pollination and great demand for the product. But there are also challenges facing the industry. 

The country’s biggest producer, Capilano Honey, is experiencing renewed growth. This has attracted the cashed-up interest of Chinese investors via a consortium of private equity fund Wattle Hill and investment manager Roc Partners.

They are aiming to privatise the company, offering shareholders $20 a share or a one-for-one holding in the new entity. Capilano managing director Ben McKee attended the conference; he understands there is disquiet about the deal.

“It’s understandable change is feared, especially when it’s just been announced,” McKee says.

“We think this is the best way to go, to improve our investment in our markets.”

Many CVAA apiarists are original investors in Capilano from 1953. They fear a buyout will see honey producers have prices dictated to them, in the same way dairy farmers have.

“We don’t want to be bought out or forced out of the industry,” says CVAA executive member Angela Enbom.

Other challenges include the threat of varroa mite, chalkbrood, a decline of pollinators and changes to national park boundaries.

Ron Rich is a respected elder of apiary. Now 84, a third-generation beekeeper, he came to Victoria from Queensland in 1946.

“You think you know everything, and you don’t; anyone who tells you they know everything about beekeeping is a bloody liar,” Rich says.

“Put it this way: my uncle George only ever ran 400-500 hives, and he made a good living out of it. He was methodical. Other blokes could run thousands of hives and not do nearly as good.

“If you study the queen bee, you’re halfway there.”

Millie Enbom-Goad is a face of change in the industry. Although she is also a generational beekeeper, she came to it after studying law.

“People want to help with the environment, and beekeeping is a way to do that.”