BBKA Forum

Does any one sell flakes of propolis. I have been reading a Ron Brownbook this morning and he wrote that he sold small bags of propolis. Does any one do similar and if so, what price do you charge?

In many years of selling I have been asked once for propolis...she was Russian, where they use it a lot (Common name is Russian Penicillin). Price wise no idea. Work out your time to scrape it off the frames, bag it etc and take it from there.

I have a couple of tubs of it which I have collected but I have not yet used it for anything (same goes for blocks of wax which sit around and are rarely used). It would be nice that there is a market for it but I have no idea what it's worth either.

NigelP wrote: ↑

20 Jan 2019, 17:36

In many years of selling I have been asked once for propolis...she was Russian, where they use it a lot (Common name is Russian Penicillin). Price wise no idea. Work out your time to scrape it off the frames, bag it etc and take it from there.

I have been asked several times for a tincture but never just propolis. However I might start bagging a little up in Summer. I think if I set up a propolis trap and harvest a little and then reflect on time spent, it might give me a clue to a price.

Good question. Rather like beeswax, it’s the old principle of finding someone prepared to pay for it and what you are prepared to collect and sell it for. Personally I have never been asked for it either tho a colleague sucks on it when they get a cold and swears by it. I suspect the value depends on purity as well, old frame scrapings may not cut some applications. I have tried it myself and lived.

I remember there was a commercial operation offering a market some years ago but required a substantial free sample sent first to “test”before potentially paying for further supplies. Yeah right, pal.

I have not tried tinctures. Medicines and cosmetics (understandably) have a prodigious regulatory framework, which dissuaded me from going down that route.

Propolis isn't very weighty so even 20 or 30 grams is quite a bit, time scraping bits off can be time consuming and the cost of a propolis collection tray is more added expense. Being an uncommon commodity price is what someone is wiling to pay, added health benefits and the long list of vitamins & organics etc, (naturally) contained then you can name your own price.
UK produced local raw propolis £5 for 20g ?

The composition of ingredients naturally found in propolis seems to be something in the line of the following, % of compositions ?

Vitamins A Retinol.
B1 THiamin.
B2 Riboflavin.
B3 Niacin
B7 Biotin.
C Ascorbic Acid.
E
Bioflavonoids Metabolites.
Calcium.
Magnesium.
Iron.
Zinc.
Silicon.
Potassium.
Phosphorous.
Manganese.
Cobalt.
Copper.

Ebay has sticks of raw propolis at £1.70 per 10g plus £1 postage.
https://tinyurl.com/yaxqhxgs

Typically, the description (of Bulgarian propolis in this case) includes some quite extravagant medical claims, as usual in these matters, with absolutely no evidence given. Probably the least concerning of which includes use as a dental alternative to fluoride.

If you enjoy having healthy albeit bright orange teeth, I am sure it just works a treat!

I know a local beekeeper who was after some for his tinctures...

I'm not sure what he'd pay but I can find out if you want!

thanks for the ideas. Diane if you dont mind, that would be useful.

the ebay is link is interesting both on price/weight and but also the shape, inline with Adams suggestion of £5 per 20g

I was thinking more flakes in bags but rolling it, its an idea.

I have some insect meshing, that I am going to stick on the hive come season and then freeze and scrape. I will then have a better idea on work involved and resulting product amount.

famous last words, how hard can it be?