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Subject:
From:
Martin Braunstein <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 6 Mar 1999 16:36:42 -0600
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Dear Bee-Liners,
 
I wish I could do it but  I'll will not be able to attend the upcoming
Apimondia Congress later this year.
 
Sept. 12 to Sept. 18 is a bad date for us, Spring is chasing us. Thus it
makes very difficult for Southern Hemisphere beekeepers to be present.
Please imagine what would happen  if Apimondia was held between March 12 to
March 18 for you Northern Hemisphere beekeepers. How many of you would be
willing to let your hives swarm, do not graft your future queens, etc.?
 
Last Apimondia Congress was held in Belgium between Sept. 1 to Sept. 6,
1997. Off course that was a much better date. Therefore the Argentina
delegation was one of the biggest ever.
 
I hope next Apimondia meetings will be scheduled taking into account the
respective busy seasons of both hemispheres. Otherwise, you and us will lose
the chance to establish very productive "producer-level-contacts". I had
proposed the Canadian organizers of this meeting to give a lecture regarding
the impact of "high quality but low price Argentina honey exports" and to
suggest a proactive approach to world trade so all beekeepers can have the
chance of making more money with their honey. For some reason they refused
to accept my proposal.
 
You must also consider that along with Apimondia Congresses another
"Congress" takes place...;-. Since 1983 the I.H.E.O (International Honey
Exporters' Organization) has scheduled parallel meetings that gather the
major honey exporting firms of Argentina, China, Canada, Australia, etc.
These are the guys that dump the price of honey worldwide. This group that
works as a CARTEL now has its headquarters in Argentina. Its secretary is
Mr. Arno Meier, he is a German broker that owns and operates TIMES S.A. (one
of the oldest honey exporting companies in Argentina). At the same time, the
president of this group is Mr. Wayne Rumball of Canada. Every second year
IHEO changes its headquarters. You can learn more about this group at one
issue of the British bee magazine "Bee Biz" (July 1998). This low profile or
ganization is so "low profile" that even if you read through the last 12
years issues of the American Bee Journal you shall not find any reference
whatsoever to this esoteric and enigmatic group.
 
Every month they publish a newsletter with "confidential trade information"
covering all aspects of world honey trade. This exchange of information
gives them a lot of power. This newsletter is faxed everywhere in the world.
Thus it is not surprising how a few small organizations are able to reduce
so dramatically the prices being paid to all producers.
 
Paradoxically, according to Economics the kind of market that describes best
the scenario where beekeepers and honey buyers interact, is not a market. It
is an anomalous disrupted market know as OLIGOPSONY (= Purchasing power
concentrated in a few hands and the sellers are dispersed without much
communication among them).
 
When you visit Apimondia, try to get invited to IHEO meeting. If you are
invited (which I think will not happen) don't forget to say hello to Mr.
Meier, Mr. Tuchel (Mexico) and Mr. Sapiano (United Kingdom) and Mr. Rumball
(Canada). Please ask them why if China's honey crop in 1998 was disastrous
(70% down) why the price of honey is so low.
 
At the same time, when you will be trying to learn how to fight varroa, how
to get more
production at the different presentations, all IHEO members will be laughing
at having great fun at your expense.
 
If Apimondia is only a scientific and "apidologist" meeting I don't think it
is worthwhile to waste your time going there. It may also serve the true and
most important interest of beekeepers: to make a decent living by making the
most money out of your honey.
 
Cordially yours,
 
 
Martin Braunstein
Queen Breeder & Exporter
Criador de Reinas y Exportador
Malka Cabania Apicola
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Phone (54+11)4446-8350
Fax (54+2322)487564

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