The research probtem in Gharbia governorate is represented, in spite of the
increase in beehives (horizontal expansion), in the inefficiency of beehive productivity.
Therefore, the study aims at the maximization of beehive productivity at Gharbia
governorate. To achieve the study objective, the study relied on two sources of data.
The first source is, published and unpublished a secondary data source for the period
of 1992-2003. The second is a primary data source collected in a field study type of
study during the year of 2003. The findings re'lealed that the number of modern beehives have been increased
with an insignificant annual rate estimated to be 156 beehive. However, beehive
productivity has been decreased with a significant annual rate estimated to be O.25kg.
While the total production of honey has been decreasing with a significant annual rate
of 34.2tons during the study period 1992·2003 at Gharbia governorate. The findings also re'lealed that the best productivity was for the third level (more
than 200 beehives), then the second level (from 100 to less than 200 beehives), then
the first level (less than 100 beehives) with a minimization of fixed costs, also variable
cost and total cost for the three levels the third ,the second and the first respectively.
While the highest net return per beehive was LE 72.7, 53.7, and 36.8 for the
productlvn; levels the third, the second, and the first respectively. This is due mainly
to economies of scale. The economic indicators revealed that the margin surplus per beehive was
estimated to be LE74.3, 55.9, 39.8 for the three levels respectively. With regard to
benetltsltotal cost ratio reached about LE2.3, 1.9, and 1.5 for the three levels
respectively. while the relativity profitability reached about 132.5 %,87.3 % and 50.6
% for the three levels respectively investment profit ( L.E) was to be 1.37, 0.91 and
0.53 pound for the three levels respectively. Recommendations 1-The establishment honey production facilities that includes laege number of
beehives (more than 200 beehives) to benefit of economies of scale; 2·The use of bee-cluster transference because it gives the heights return rate than of
non-transference methods, and obtain the highest net revenues per beehive. 3- The training of honey grower, especially who lack the technical skills at research
center on the scientific methods of bee breeding, and obtain the highest net revenue
per beehive. 4-Encourage newly graduates to enter the field of bee breeding, and to begin at small
scale that could be increased later after gaining the proper experience;