Apiário Santos, headquartered in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, is a family-run beekeeping enterprise specializing in the production and commercialization of premium-quality honey and bee-derived products from the Pantanal biome. With over two decades of dedication to sustainable apiculture, Apiário Santos has positioned itself as a leading regional producer of Mel do Pantanal, a geographically indicated (IG) product known for its purity, floral diversity, and environmental value.
Core Business
The company’s core business is the production, packaging, and commercialization of raw honey, bee pollen, and propolis, all sourced from the naturally rich and biodiverse Pantanal region. Apiário Santos emphasizes sustainable and traceable beekeeping practices, contributing to the preservation of pollinator ecosystems while generating high-value food products for the domestic and international markets.
Product and Service Offerings
Apiário Santos offers a broad range of natural bee products segmented into key categories:
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Mel do Pantanal:
- Mel em pote de vidro 250g
- Mel em bisnaga 250g and 500g
- Produced from nectar sourced from native flora such as cambará, aroeira, and angico
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Mel Silvestre:
- Favo em pote de vidro 300g
- Mel em bisnaga 270g and 500g
- Harvested from diversified wild flora, rich in antioxidants and enzymes
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Bee Derivatives:
- Pólen apícola em pote 100g
- Própolis em frasco 30ml
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Gift Kits:
- Customized presentation boxes combining various products for seasonal and souvenir markets
All products are handcrafted, bottled in food-safe containers, and labeled in accordance with Brazilian food safety standards.
Specialization and USP
Apiário Santos is a certified producer of Mel do Pantanal with Geographical Indication (IG), which guarantees origin, quality, and traditional know-how tied to the unique environment of the Pantanal. Their competitive edge lies in:
- Traceability and sustainability: Each harvest can be traced to specific hives and ecosystems, ensuring biodiversity conservation.
- Low-impact harvesting: The company uses organic and manual extraction methods, minimizing stress to bee colonies.
- Product differentiation: Mel do Pantanal is characterized by its low humidity, high enzyme activity, and diverse floral source, delivering unmatched aroma and texture.
Financials
Apiário Santos operates as a microenterprise under Brazil's Simples Nacional regime. While specific revenue data is undisclosed, participation in national-level programs such as Agro.BR (ApexBrasil + CNA) and inclusion in export readiness platforms suggest annual sales in the low six-figure BRL range, with continuous growth through e-commerce, direct sales, and fair participation.
Shipment and Export Data
The company is part of Brazil’s Agro.BR Export Acceleration Program and has actively prepared for internationalization:
- First sample shipments to Europe and South America commenced in 2023
- Participation in Apas Show, Bio Brazil Fair, and ANUGA Select Brazil
- Registered interest from buyers in Germany, Argentina, and Paraguay
- Production capacity allows for up to 3 metric tons annually of bottled honey
Export packaging is compliant with MAPA and EU sanitary regulations, with labeling in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Target Market
Apiário Santos serves:
- Health-conscious domestic consumers via fairs, e-commerce, and local markets
- Gourmet and natural food retailers seeking geographically indicated Brazilian honey
- Export markets focused on premium, traceable, non-industrial honey
- Nutraceutical brands sourcing raw bee products for formulation
Capabilities
- Production Scale: Up to 3 tons/year of bottled honey
- Hives Managed: 200+ managed in Pantanal region ecosystems
- Packaging Lines: Manual bottling, labeling, and sealing
- Certifications: Geographical Indication, Registration with MAPA (Ministério da Agricultura)
- Export Readiness: Trilingual labeling, sanitary registration, and logistics partnerships
Certifications and Compliance
Apiário Santos products meet the regulatory requirements of:
- MAPA (Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture) for honey export and traceability
- Geographical Indication (IG) Mel do Pantanal for origin and process validation
- CNA Agro.BR Program participant, with export training and readiness support
- Packaging and labeling compliance for national and international markets
Customer Testimonials
“This honey is unlike any I’ve tasted—floral, aromatic, and authentic. You can tell it comes straight from nature.”
— Local Chef, Campo Grande
“We include Mel do Pantanal in every gift basket we export. Our clients in Europe love the story behind it.”
— Gourmet Food Distributor, São Paulo
Major Achievements
- Officially certified producer of Mel do Pantanal IG, promoting origin-linked quality
- Included in Agro.BR, ApexBrasil and CNA’s flagship export acceleration platform
- Launched branded website and e-commerce integration for direct-to-consumer access
- Recognized in regional fairs and featured in the IG Mel do Pantanal digital catalog
- Growing presence in gourmet and organic food distribution networks
Apiário Santos exemplifies how small-scale producers rooted in tradition and ecology can scale impact through quality, traceability, and commitment to environmental stewardship.