Green and Red Propolis: From the Hive to the High-Value Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Market

Brazilian propolis is the most valuable apicultural product by gram in the world — with green propolis (from alecrim-do-campo, Baccharis dracunculifolia) being scientifically recognized as having the highest biological activity on the planet. Red propolis (from the resin of the Dalbergia ecastaphyllum plant on the northeastern coast) has unique properties recently discovered by science.

The propolis market is growing by 30% a year globally — driven by Japan (the largest per capita consumer in the world), South Korea, and the growing European market. Green propolis from Minas Gerais and the Cerrado and red propolis from the Northeast have geographical indication registrations that make them unique export products.

When propolis is collected methodically, processed into a standardized extract, and exported with certification, this segment can greatly contribute to job and income generation in Brazil.

Join our strategic actions to implement the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research encompass 20 chains and 255 segments of the national agro — from the grains chain to sustainable extraction, including horticulture, fruit growing, livestock, and much more.

The series Innovation for Brazil to Produce More was developed specifically to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide, across the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — using accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, governors, and marketers.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to produce and process green and red propolis with pharmaceutical quality

High-quality propolis starts with propolis collectors installed in beehives — plastic or wooden screens that encourage bees to deposit more propolis. Biweekly collection and storage in the freezer until processing preserve the active compounds.

✔    Propolis collectors — increase production from 20 to 50g to 100 to 200g/hive/month

✔    Freezer storage immediately after collection

✔    Processing into standardized ethanol extract (EPP) — pharmaceutical standard

✔    Flavonoid content: minimum 0.25% — export quality standard

✔    PRONAF Apiculture for propolis beekeepers

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for Small Rural Producers presents, in detail, the best solutions for this segment and the other 254 of Brazilian agro — focusing on method, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What equipment the propolis chain demands

Propolis requires ethanol extraction and standardization of extract equipment — with a basic quality control laboratory.

Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical Engineering and Computing — ethanol extractors and evaporators;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — concentration and quality sensors for extract;

Control and Automation Engineering — extract standardizers;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — extract and capsule bottling machines;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for rural laboratory;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — traceability and quality certification.

✔    Ethanol extractors for EPP of propolis

✔    Analysis of flavonoids and propolis markers

✔    Extract bottling machines in dropper bottles

✔    ANVISA certification for propolis

✔    Export of raw propolis and extract

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for Micro and Small Local Suppliers maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How the municipality can support propolis and create an apicultural pharmaceutical hub

The green propolis from the Cerrado and the red propolis from the Northeast have a unique geographical identity in the world — and the municipality that supports IG certification creates an exclusive export product.

✔    IG of Green Propolis from the Cerrado — designation of origin

✔    Municipal laboratory for propolis analysis

✔    Municipal IDM: locally processed propolis as an indicator

✔    Partnership with the pharmaceutical industry for extract contracts

✔    Beekeeping Festival focused on propolis

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents step-by-step guidelines for municipal secretaries and managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agro.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Traders

How propolis generates business for laboratories and the pharmaceutical market

The standardized extract of green propolis (EPP-AF) exported to Japan reaches US$ 50 to US$ 200/kg — while raw propolis is worth R$ 100 to R$ 200/kg. The laboratory that standardizes and exports extract captures 3 to 5× the value of the raw material with equipment costing R$ 30,000 to R$ 100,000.

For the cosmetic market, green propolis in capsules and throat spray are the fastest-growing products in the natural supplements category — with Brazilian consumers adopting propolis as a daily health product.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and food service:

EPP-AF export to Japan— US$ 50 to US$ 200/kg;

Throat spray of propolis— high turnover pharmacy product;

Green propolis capsules— fast-growing supplement;

Red propolis — rare extract— extremely high-value niche product;

Propolis for cosmetics— high-growth ingredient;

Raw propolis for export— permanent Asian market.

Trader profiles and their specific opportunities

✔    Extract laboratories: EPP-AF for export to Japan

✔    Pharmacies and drugstores: propolis spray and capsules

✔    Natural cosmetics: propolis in creams and serums

✔    Exporters: raw propolis and extract for Asia

✔    Beekeepers: organized collection with premium collectors

✔    Digital platforms: beekeeping kit with propolis

Growth strategies for the local trader

The beekeeper who installs collectors in all beehives and sells green propolis organized by bloom to extract laboratories has revenues of R$ 1,000 to R$ 3,000/hive/year with propolis — much higher than honey revenue. Propolis is the apicultural product with the highest return per hive available.

PRONAF and BNB/FNE cover beekeeping. Pronampe finances laboratories. APEX-Brasil supports export.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Agricultural Products Trader maps 30 trader profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 segments of agro.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups with 30 members can organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplier Businesses

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Traders of Agricultural Products

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical Engineering and Computing · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Professor: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering