Harvesting and Processing Royal Jelly

This article is part of our complete guide to Starting Beekeeping in South Africa.

Royal jelly is a milky secretion used to feed queen bees.

It’s rich in proteins, vitamins, and amino acids, and is highly sought after in health and beauty products.

Although harvesting it requires precision, South African beekeepers can produce royal jelly for niche markets.

What Is Royal Jelly Used For?

• Natural supplements (immune support, anti-ageing)
• Skincare creams and masks
• Fertility and energy-boosting formulas

What You Need

• Strong queenless hive (for raising emergency queen cells)
• Queen rearing frame and grafting tools
• Royal jelly spatula or small spoon
• Food-grade containers for storage

How to Harvest Royal Jelly

1. Graft 1-day-old larvae into artificial queen cups
2. Place into queenless cell builder colony
3. Wait 72 hours – bees will fill the cells with royal jelly
4. Gently remove the queen cells
5. Scoop out the jelly with a royal jelly spatula
6. Store immediately in a cold container (below 5°C)

Storage and Shelf Life

• Keep in airtight containers (preferably glass)
• Refrigerate immediately
• Shelf life: 1 week fresh, 6–12 months if frozen

Packaging and Labelling

• Sell in 5g–10g jars or capsules
• Add “Keep Refrigerated” warning
• Label must include:
  • “Fresh Royal Jelly” or “Royal Jelly Capsules”
  • Net weight
  • Producer name and contact
  • Country of origin
  • Use-by date

Selling Tips

• Health shops or apitherapy suppliers
• Direct to consumers seeking fertility or skin benefits
• Add to skincare products or supplements for added value

Challenges

• Time-sensitive harvesting process
• Requires skilled grafting
• Small yield per colony (high value, low volume)

Final Thoughts

Royal jelly is a premium hive product with high demand in small quantities.

For beekeepers who already rear queens or manage strong hives, it offers a unique way to diversify income and attract health-focused customers.