Jose Marques Resende

With over 20 million inhabitants, Minas Gerais is the second populous state in Brazil. Known for its abundance of gold and precious stones, the state also has some of the longest rivers and highest mountains in the country. The Cerrado, a type of dense savanna vegetation that supports over 160,000 animal and plant species, lies to the west. The northern regions are arid and dry while the south is filled with verdant valleys where temperatures are significantly cooler than other parts of the state. Minas Gerais is one of Brazil’s largest producers of milk, coffee, minerals and agricultural goods.

The region has approximately 35,000 organically certified beehives belonging to 250 beekeepers. Honey is sourced mainly from eucalyptus, coffee plants and wild flowers. Harvesting takes place year round, though the period between February and August is the busiest time for production.