**7. Propolis nowadays market and potential**

The green propolis has gained preference in the world market since the 1980s, unveiling new horizons for the product. The growing interest of the market for green propolis in the context of international food trade follows the increasing trend in search of healthier habits, which have gained ample space in people's daily lives all over the world.

In the Japanese market, green propolis has a high commercial value: according to SEBRAE, the price of 1 kg of this product in 2010 was around \$ 87 and the same amount of honey was

priced at about 3 dollars. In Tokyo's market, this product is even more valued: a bottle of green propolis, in 2010, was sold for around \$ 150 [145, 146]. In 2008, it was estimated that in Japan, 700 million dollars a year started to be moved by green propolis [147]. Japanʹs interest in green propolis is justified not only by consumption: one of the most important examples of its use is as an adjuvant in the treatment of cancer; but also by Japanese research related to the chemical composition and biological activities of this type of propolis, especially studies with artepillin C [16, 147].

The high demand for green propolis, especially from Asian countries, such as Japan, is essential for sustaining the economy that revolves around this product, which is fairly lucrative. Green propolis is produced mainly in the southeastern region, highlighting the state of Minas Gerais, where there are over 8000 beekeepers, which produces more than 35 tons of propolis per year [148]. These data show the importance of production and exports of green propolis, which is one of the pillars of Brazilian apiculture economy.

Red propolis found in the Brazilian state of Alagoas has been internationally certified by the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) as the only producer of this kind of propolis in the world and most of its compounds were not found in other types of Brazilian propolis, which makes it a singular bee product [24]. Due to that, its commercial value is internationally high. It has been reported that a kilogram of this product can cost around R \$ 500. Its importance to the Brazilian economy and to red propolis producer states is immeas‐ urable. Many propolis producers are being qualified and thereby, they are improving their product quality and the production process. Like green propolis, red propolis is also highly exported to Japan due to its chemical composition and biological effects [149].

Brazil is currently the worldʹs third largest producer of propolis, second only to Russia and China [150]. Although it represents 10–15% of world production, Brazil fulfill about 80% of Japanese demand. Minas Gerais State (Brazil) Beekeepers Federation data show that the propolis produced in the Midwest region of the state is considered the best in the world by the Japanese market, where the kilogram of product has jumped from \$ 5 to \$ 200 in recent years [150].

The propolis production in Brazil is estimated at around 140 tons, and the major part is destined for international market, both in raw form and as finished products. It is estimated that 100 tons are green propolis and 40 tons other types of propolis. About 80% of the green propolis produced in Brazil comes from the Midwest region of Minas Gerais State, close to the source of the São Francisco river at Serra da Canastra, region where are the highest number of producers. Despite the great Brazilian beekeeping potential, the current production is not enough to fulfill a growing global demand. The Brazilian honey bees are Africanized, pre‐ senting defensive and disease‐resistant features, with no need to use chemical treatments as in other countries, which ensures Brazilian bee products excellent quality and free from contamination.

Many research fronts have been opened in the pursuit of development and adaptation of professional management techniques in the production of green propolis. In addition to the improvement actions and training of producers in beekeeping management practices, a group of green propolis producers in the Midwest region of Minas Gerais in the Source of the São Francisco River created an independent association supported by governmental agencies, universities, researchers, and local private institution.

This association aims to establish the technical and scientific cooperation between the scientific community and the beekeepers, aimed at regional development, improving the quality and increasing the amount of green propolis produced in the region. Among the main projects carried out, stand out the training of beekeepers in the professionalization of beekeeping, conservation and cultivation of *B. dracunculifolia* fields, periodical replacement of old to younger queen bees, and others projects. It is believed that the interaction of technical and practical knowledge of beekeepers in conjunction with the application of scientific knowledge by researchers and universities will contribute significantly to a comprehensive training in the professionalization of Brazilian beekeepers to fulfill the goal of maintaining the quality and increase the amount of green propolis produced in the region.

Trade promotion strategies are being constantly designed and implemented by the Brazilian Association of Honey and Propolis Exporters (ABEMEL) and the Brazilian Trade and Invest‐ ment Promotion Agency (APEX‐Brasil) to disseminate Brazilian bee products around the world. The result is the increasing demand from Asia, Europe, and North America countries.

In recent years, Brazil has been prominent on the international scene by winning important prizes at the World Beekeeping Awards of Apimondia, the main world beekeeping event that brings together representatives of over 130 countries and is held every 2 years. In the last editions, Brazil won gold and silver medals in the category honey and gold in the category propolis.
