Enhancing Sustainable Economic Development through the BCG Model: Development and Commercialization of Stingless Bee Honey from Southern Thailand

Sumana Pansamut; Bradley Arthur  Corbett

doi:10.57260/csdj.2026.286879

Authors

Sumana Pansamut Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathumthani, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5315-3946
Bradley Arthur Corbett Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57260/csdj.2026.286879

Keywords:

Stingless bees honey, Chemical composition, Biological activity, Volatile organic compounds, Monosaccharides

Abstract

Stingless bee honey, derived from small eusocial bees within the Apinae subfamily, has emerged as a promising natural product in the global health supplement market. These bees are predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions and exhibit limited tolerance to environmental extremes due to their reduced capacity for thermoregulation. Unlike conventional honey bees, stingless bees produce honey with higher moisture content, which undergoes natural fermentation within the hive, resulting in a distinctive sweet–sour taste profile. The compositional characteristics of stingless bee honey include proteins, essential amino acids, phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals. These constituents are associated with antioxidant activity and potential functional benefits, making the honey a candidate for nutraceutical and functional food development. Research has increasingly focused on its production systems, extraction processes, and value-added applications.
In Thailand, stingless bee honey production is supported by community-based enterprises, including Ban Ko La Nang Farm in Songkhla Province, operating under the Community Enterprise Promotion framework. Such initiatives contribute to sustainable rural development and are aligned with the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model, which integrates bioeconomy, circular economy, and green economy principles. Due to relatively low production yields compared to honey bees, stingless bee honey remains a scarce and high-value commodity in international markets.

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