Gyeonggi Province to Support Native Bee Farms: 80% Provincial Funding for "Hanbong Honey Branding" Initiative

Gyeonggi Province Launches Full-Scale Support for Hanbong Honey Brand Production and Distribution
Boosting Farm Income by Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Hanbong Honey Brand

Gyeonggi Province announced on January 29 that it will launch, for the first time this year, a support project to establish a production and distribution base for the Hanbong (Korean native bee) honey brand.

Appearance of Hanbong. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

This support project has been designed to enhance the quality stability and distribution competitiveness of Hanbong honey brand products, as well as to protect and promote the sustainable growth of the native bee industry.

Eligibility for the project includes registered members of the Korea Hanbong Association who meet the following criteria: corporations or individuals with more than 50 bee colonies, those who have completed Hanbong training at least once a year, and corporations or individuals recognized as native livestock breeders. This year, a total of 30 farms will be supported. The project period runs from February to December 2026, with a total budget of 49 million won, of which 80% is funded by the province and 20% is self-funded.

The main areas of support include honey product quality testing (such as genetic and ingredient analysis), production of packaging materials and improvements to containers and design, and the creation of brand promotional materials. Through systematic quality management and brand enhancement for Hanbong farms, the project aims to establish a stable production and distribution base for high-quality Hanbong honey.

The province expects that this project will increase consumer trust in the quality of Hanbong honey and, by strengthening brand competitiveness, simultaneously boost farm incomes and revitalize the native bee industry. In addition, it is anticipated to contribute to the protection and sustainability of the native bee industry, which faces challenges from climate change and sacbrood virus disease.

Further details can be found on the Gyeonggi Province website. The province held an open call in January for operators to carry out the "Hanbong Honey Brand Production and Distribution Base Support Project," and the final project operator will be selected in February following a review. In line with the project implementation plan, the province will also share relevant information with cities and counties via official documents and accept applications from Hanbong farms wishing to participate.

Lee Eunkyung, Director of Animal Quarantine and Hygiene at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "This support project is a practical measure to enhance the quality and brand value of Hanbong honey. We look forward to the active participation of farms to strengthen their management stability and competitiveness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.