Innovation in beekeeping from the south of Chile: How Bioketen is redefining the value of honey
In the third episode of the limited series The Secret Ingredient, produced by Entreprenerd Media and Transforma Foods, we talk with Patricio Olavarría, co-founder of Bioketen Innovation.
From Valdivia, this Chilean startup is revolutionizing the beekeeping industry by developing technology to certify the botanical origin of honey and ensure its purity. In the interview, we explore - with the co-founder of Bioketen Innovation- the advancements, challenges, and future of this company.
Certification of Origin: A Paradigm Shift.
Our analysis kit allows us to accurately determine the botanical origin of honey in just 48 hours, a process that previously took more than a month.
Patricio Olavarria, co-founder of Bioketen Innovation.
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This advancement not only significantly reduces costs, but also raises quality standards in the industry, allowing beekeepers to certify their products more quickly and accurately.
The technology developed by Bioketen is based on DNA analysis, a replicable method that has already sparked interest in international markets such as Europe and Latin America.
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According to Olavarría, "90% of Chilean honey is exported in bulk drums. Our vision is to change this dynamic, promoting the export of fractionated and certified honey, with added value that can multiply its price up to five times."
The global challenge of the industry: The adulteration crisis.
A critical issue addressed in the interview was the adulteration of honey, a problem that affects 46% of the product entering Europe, according to recent data.
"In the future, technologies like ours will be essential to certify that honey is not only pure, but also authentic," Olavarría pointed out. Bioketen Innovation is developing additional methods to identify adulterated honey, a crucial step to protect both consumers and responsible producers.
"We are prototyping a QR code system that will allow consumers to directly verify the botanical origin of the honey they purchase, generating trust and transparency in the market," he added.
The Valdivian company also stands out for its work in educating beekeepers and consumers about the importance of traceability and quality in honey.
A promising future for Chilean honey.
Looking forward to 2025, Bioketen is aiming to expand its analytical capacity to 30 botanical species and advance in regulatory certification in Chile.
"We are working for our DNA-based method to be legally recognized as a viable alternative to traditional analysis. This will not only benefit local beekeepers, but it will also open new doors in international markets," explained Olavarría.
"In the long term, they hope to become a global benchmark in the beekeeping industry. "Our goal is that every jar of Chilean honey carries a traceable and certified seal, guaranteeing its authenticity and allowing it to compete on equal terms with premium products like Manuka honey from New Zealand"," they maintain.
Bioketen's Secret Ingredient
At the close of the interview, Olavarría reflected on what makes Bioketen unique: "The secret ingredient of our company is passion and excellence in our work. We are committed to science, technology and, above all, the positive impact we can generate in national and international beekeeping".
While countries like New Zealand have led this sector for years, initiatives like Bioketen's have the potential to position Chile as a new player in the global scene.
