Conapi

What Conapi does

CONAPI (Consorzio Nazionale Apicoltori) is Europe's largest beekeeping cooperative, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Monterenzio, Italy. The cooperative aggregates more than 600 beekeepers operating over 100,000 hives that nurture an estimated 5 billion bees across Italy, Spain, and Hungary. Annual honey production ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes, processed through a state-of-the-art 6,400 sqm facility with capacity for up to 4,000 tonnes annually. Of the cooperative's 238 members, 113 are certified organic, making CONAPI Europe's leading producer of organic honey since adopting organic standards in 1991.

The business operates a fully integrated short supply chain from apiary to consumer, with double verification by certification bodies, external laboratories, and an internal quality office. Revenue is split between two primary streams: a private label production business accounting for approximately 60% of revenue and roughly 40% of the Italian private label honey market, and own-brand sales (Mielizia, the flagship brand since 1986 and third most sold in Italian hypermarkets/supermarkets, plus the Cuor Di Miele organic line distributed exclusively through ECOR NaturaSì specialty shops). Distribution spans Italian large-scale retail, specialty organic shops, the shop.mielizia.com e-commerce platform, and international export markets (11% of revenue) across France, Switzerland, Japan, China, Korea, and Canada. Pricing is unit-based through retail and e-commerce channels; specific pricing details are not publicly disclosed.

The cooperative is led by President Giorgio Baracani and Director General Nicoletta Maffini, with a Board of Directors dominated by beekeeping cooperators (91%). Capital structure reflects mutual cooperative ownership, with Coopfond (Legacoop) and Fondo Sviluppo (Confcooperative) injecting €650,000 in November 2024 to raise share capital to €4.38 million. Certifications include IFS FOOD, ISO 22000, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 22005, EMAS, the FDAI mark, and organic certification under EU Regulation 2018/848. The cooperative runs innovation projects including the ECOSEME agroecological pest management initiative with the University of Bologna and an urban beekeeping biomonitoring program across seven Italian cities.

Name

Conapi

Legal name

CONAPI Consorzio Nazionale Apicoltori Società Cooperativa Agricola

Website

https://conapi.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CONAPI is Europe's largest beekeeping cooperative, aggregating 600+ beekeepers and 100,000+ hives to produce, process, and distribute organic and conventional honey through private label partnerships and its own Mielizia and Cuor Di Miele brands across retail, specialty, and e-commerce channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Honey Production and Distribution

NAICS

Apiculture (112910), Apiculture (11291)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Honey Packaging, Bottling & Private Labeling (AFAEAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Propolis & Bee Pollen Harvesting/Processing (AFAEAHAD)

Keywords

• Organic honey production
• Beekeeping cooperative
• Private label honey
• Bee products
• Italian honey supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Monterenzio

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Private Label Production: Private label production accounts for approximately 60% of CONAPI's business. The cooperative develops private label projects for leading Italian and international retail chains, providing packaging, product range development, and production for large-scale retail, specialist retail, and the hospitality sector. This includes organic and conventional honey, single-flower and wildflower varieties, premium ranges, and customized packaging.
2. Own Brand Sales (Mielizia, Cuor Di Miele): Revenue from proprietary brands sold through retail stores, specialist organic shops (ECOR NaturaSì for Cuor Di Miele), and e-commerce platforms. Mielizia is positioned as a premium brand and represents approximately 70% of export revenue. The brand encompasses single-flower and wildflower honeys (organic and conventional), pollen, royal jelly, propolis, fruit compotes, shortbread biscuits, sweets, and 100% natural food supplements.
3. Organic Honey Production: CONAPI is Europe's leading producer of organic honey, with 45% of hives certified organic. Organic members account for 113 of 238 total members. The company has adhered to organic standards since 1991 and helped draft European regulations for organic beekeeping.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Conapi is Europe's largest beekeeping cooperative, uniting over 600 beekeepers managing 100,000+ hives to produce 2,000-3,000 tonnes of honey annually. The cooperative operates a fully integrated short supply chain from hive to consumer, producing organic and conventional honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, food supplements, and fruit compotes under its flagship Mielizia brand and organic Cuor di Miele line. Approximately 60% of revenue comes from private label production for major Italian and international retail chains, with the remainder sold under proprietary brands through retail, specialist organic shops, and e-commerce.

Product overview

CONAPI is Europe's largest beekeeping cooperative, operating a fully integrated and controlled short supply chain from apiary to consumer. It unites over 600 beekeepers and manages over 100,000 hives producing approximately 3,000 tonnes of honey per year. The cooperative's product portfolio centers on its flagship brand Mielizia (offering single-flower and wildflower honeys, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, compotes, supplements, and innovative formats such as the SportPocket doypack and new gourmet products), its organic sub-brand Cuor di Miele distributed exclusively through ECOR NaturaSì, and a major private label service accounting for ~60% of business, supplying leading Italian and international retailers with organic and conventional honey, custom packaging, and fruit supplement products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mielizia: Flagship brand since 1986 representing Italian beekeeping excellence, offering single-flower and wildflower honeys (organic and conventional), pollen, royal jelly, propolis, fruit compotes, and specialty products including SportPocket range
• Cuor di Miele

Products and services

• Mielizia Flagship brand since 1986 offering single-flower and wildflower honeys (organic and conventional), pollen, royal jelly, propolis, fruit compotes, shortbread biscuits, sweets, and 100% natural food supplements, including the SportPocket doypack format for sports consumers.
• Cuor di Miele Organic beekeeping line emphasizing certified organic production that respects natural bee rhythms and ecosystem protection. Includes Italian organic honeys, fresh royal jelly, and pollen from a controlled and certified supply chain, distributed exclusively through ECOR NaturaSì specialist shops.
• Private Label Honey Production B2B service for retailers and brands providing private label honey and bee products development, production, packaging, and supply. Accounts for approximately 40% of Italy's private label honey market and 60% of CONAPI's business. Solutions include organic and conventional honey, single-flower and wildflower varieties, premium ranges, retail and food service formats, customised packaging, and fruit supplements and compotes.
• SportPocket (Mielizia line extension) Handy doypack format within the Mielizia brand designed for sports enthusiasts, providing an instant energy boost during workouts.
• Miele e Peperoncino (Mielizia) Honey and chili pepper fusion product by Mielizia that expands usage occasions into bold savory pairings, representing the brand's innovation into gourmet and contemporary consumption trends.
• Millefiori Liquido (Mielizia) Liquid wildflower honey developed by Mielizia to meet consumer needs for practicality, versatility, and immediate ease of use.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 98% reduction in CO2 emissions with doypack packaging compared to glass
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centro Agricoltura e Ambiente Giorgio Nicoli S.R.L.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead organization for the ECOSEME project (EAFRD funded) developing agroecological protection strategies for seed crops to reduce insecticide use and safeguard pollinating insects. CONAPI is a partner in this Operational Group alongside universities and other agricultural entities.
• Alma Mater Studiorum – University of BolognacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical and scientific coordinator for the ECOSEME project. CONAPI collaborates with the Department of Agri-Food Sciences and Technologies (DISTAL) and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for bee protection and environmental best practices promotion.
• National Honey ObservatoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONAPI collaborates with the National Honey Observatory and specialist biologists to conduct studies on honey consumption trends and market analysis.
• PSR (Programma Sviluppo Rurale della Regione Emilia-Romagna)coreOthersRegional Rural Development Programme providing partial funding for CONAPI's investment plan including facility expansion, energy efficiency improvements, and production line upgrades. Multiple tranches of funding received through 2024.
• PNRR / Parco Agrisolare (MASAF)coreOthersPiano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza funding through the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (MASAF) for photovoltaic installations totaling 495 kW capacity, contributing to energy self-sufficiency and sustainability goals.
• MASAF (Ministero dell'Agricoltura, della Sovranità Alimentare e delle Foreste)coreOthersItalian Ministry plays a leading role in various technical working groups for the beekeeping sector and agriculture, with shared objectives of land conservation. CONAPI participates in national and European institutional forums through MASAF.
• BeeLifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONAPI has been a founding member since 2013 and plays an active role in this European organization, serving as a strategic hub for the protection of the beekeeping sector by monitoring European regulations and advocating for beekeepers' interests.
• Italian Cities (Urban Beekeeping Projects)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2017, the 'Bees and Urban Gardens' initiative has involved 7 Italian cities (Turin, Milan, Bologna, Faenza, Rome, Bari, Potenza) and over a million bees for urban environmental biomonitoring. Partners include local organizations, cooperatives, and educational institutions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Langnese Honig: Germany's leading honey brand and one of Europe's largest honey packers, with strong retail private-label presence. Comparable to CONAPI as a European mass-market honey brand with deep retail relationships.
• Capilano Honey: Australia's largest honey packer, owned by a cooperative of beekeepers. Closely comparable to CONAPI on cooperative governance, private-label leadership, and integrated hive-to-jar model.
• Rowse Honey: UK-based premium honey brand with sourcing from multiple origins and a focus on retail and food-service channels. Comparable to CONAPI in branded honey marketing and retail scale in a European market.
• Billy Bee Honey: Canada's leading retail honey brand (owned by McCormick), sold through major grocery channels. Comparable to CONAPI on Mielizia-style branded honey leadership in a national market.
• Dutch Gold Honey: One of the largest US honey packers with a strong private-label and foodservice business. Comparable to CONAPI on private-label scale, retail/supply-chain execution, and multi-origin sourcing.
• BeeMaid Honey: Canadian honey company owned by the Alberta Beekeepers Commission, operating as a beekeeper cooperative. Comparable to CONAPI's cooperative governance model and integrated producer-packer structure.
• Rigoni di Asiago: Italian organic food company best known for Fiordifrutta and Nocciolata, with an organic honey range. Comparable to CONAPI on Italian origin, organic positioning, and premium retail distribution.
• Apicoltura Piana: Italian beekeeping company producing and packaging honey and bee products for retail and private label. Directly comparable to CONAPI as a domestic Italian honey producer with similar private-label and own-brand activity.
• Comvita: New Zealand-based global premium honey brand with cooperative beekeeper origins and a focus on Manuka and organic honey. Directly comparable to CONAPI in premium positioning, traceability-led supply chain, and own-brand-plus-export model.

Emerging players

• Miel d'Oc: French artisanal honey brand emphasizing short supply chain and regional provenance. Comparable to CONAPI's traceability and origin-led positioning, though at a smaller and more regional scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ConapiConsorzioApicoltori
• Xx.com/_conapi_
• Facebookfacebook.com/conapiconsorzioapicoltori

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Conapi