Founded in 1921, Famille Mary is a historic French brand specializing in the harvesting, production, and distribution of high-quality honey, royal jelly, propolis, and wellness products derived from beehive resources. With its headquarters located in Saint-André-de-la-Marche in the Loire Valley, Famille Mary has established itself as a leader in apitherapy-based natural wellness, with a century of expertise passed down through three generations of passionate beekeepers.
Brief History
The legacy began with Jean Mary, who started collecting honey from wild hives in the Anjou forests. Over the decades, the business evolved from artisanal harvesting into a vertically integrated company, combining traditional beekeeping with scientific research to develop a comprehensive line of wellness and gourmet products. Today, Famille Mary operates more than 30 boutique stores across France and maintains a strong online and international retail presence.
Core Business
Famille Mary’s business focuses on transforming beehive treasures—honey, royal jelly, propolis, and pollen—into premium products that support health and gourmet lifestyles. Its offerings span the food, wellness, and cosmetic sectors, targeting consumers looking for natural, organic, and ethically sourced alternatives.
Product and Service Offerings
Honey Collection:
- Monofloral and Multifloral Honeys: Acacia, Lavender, Chestnut, Thyme, Fir, and more.
- Organic Honey: Certified AB (Agriculture Biologique) organic honeys.
- Specialty Honeys: Honey with essential oils, honey infused with propolis or royal jelly.
Royal Jelly:
- Fresh Royal Jelly: Sourced directly from hives in France.
- Royal Jelly Capsules: For immune support and vitality.
- Royal Jelly-based Cosmetics: Anti-aging creams, revitalizing serums.
Propolis:
- Raw Propolis Extracts: Brown and green propolis from France and Brazil.
- Propolis Sprays and Lozenges: For throat care and respiratory defense.
- Propolis-infused Toothpaste and Skincare.
Other Beehive Products:
- Bee Pollen: Granulated, frozen, or in capsules.
- Herbal Teas: Blends of honey and plants for detox, digestion, and sleep support.
- Gourmet Line: Honey candies, nougat, gingerbread, fruit preserves with honey.
Specialisation and Core USP
Famille Mary is recognized for:
- Sourcing Excellence: Partners with beekeepers across pristine French regions and select global sources (e.g., Brazil for green propolis).
- Apitherapy Innovation: Integrates modern science with bee-derived products for wellness.
- Natural and Organic Credentials: Majority of their products are organic-certified and contain no artificial additives.
- Traceability: Transparent supply chains from hive to jar.
Financials
As a private SME, Famille Mary does not publicly disclose detailed financials, but industry estimates and market reports suggest:
- Estimated Revenue: €15–20 million annually (based on multi-channel retail presence and export footprint).
- Employee Count: 100–150 across production, R&D, retail, and logistics.
- Retail Network: 30+ physical stores in France and a robust e-commerce platform.
Shipment Records
According to international trade platforms and company statements:
- Export Markets: Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, and the UAE.
- Export Share: Roughly 20–25% of total sales volume.
- Shipping Formats: Retail-ready jars and bulk formats for B2B distributors.
Target Market
Famille Mary targets:
- Health-Conscious Consumers: Interested in natural immunity, anti-aging, and holistic remedies.
- Gourmet Food Enthusiasts: Seeking premium honey and artisanal products.
- Retailers and Pharmacies: Across Europe and select Asian markets.
- Beauty and Nutraceutical Brands: Looking for high-quality bee-derived ingredients.
Capabilities
- In-House Laboratories: For quality testing and product development.
- On-Site Extraction Facilities: For fresh royal jelly and propolis.
- Multi-Channel Distribution: Retail stores, online platform, mail-order catalogue, and export partners.
- Private Label Production: For European and international clients.
Certifications and Compliance
- Agriculture Biologique (AB) Organic Certification
- IFS Food Certification for production facilities
- ECOCERT and COSMOS for organic cosmetics
- EU health and food safety compliance, with detailed lab analysis provided per batch
Customer Testimonials
Online reviews across French e-commerce and consumer forums praise:
- The effectiveness of royal jelly and propolis products in boosting immunity and treating seasonal illnesses.
- The taste and texture of the artisanal honey varieties.
- The brand’s commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainability.
Major Achievements
- Over 100 years of beekeeping heritage with third-generation family ownership.
- Voted Best Organic Honey Brand in France multiple times by French consumer journals.
- Developed a proprietary blend of royal jelly and propolis used in anti-aging skincare.
- Partnered with research institutions on apitherapy and immunity-enhancing formulations.
- Maintains ISO-standard production with a strong emphasis on traceability and environmental stewardship.
Famille Mary exemplifies the union of French artisanal tradition and modern health innovation, with a commitment to preserving bees, supporting biodiversity, and delivering high-quality beehive products that nourish and heal.
