Efficiency and prospects for the development of beekeeping in the Republic of Bashkortostan

The article is devoted to the analysis of the efficiency and sustainability of beekeeping development in the Russian Federation, with a focus on regional disparities and the specific role of the Republic of Bashkortostan as one of the key centers of the industry. The aim of the study is to move from a descriptive analysis of honey production volumes to an assessment of qualitative characteristics of beekeeping development based on the integration of production, natural-resource, and institutional factors. The methodological framework of the research includes statistical and comparative analysis, indicator normalization and expert assessment methods, as well as an authors integrated indicator of regional beekeeping efficiency. The results demonstrate that regional leadership in honey production volumes does not necessarily correspond to high industry efficiency. It is shown that the Republic of Bashkortostan is characterized by high sustainability of resource and institutional components, while production and market components remain vulnerable, which constrains the realization of natural potential. The findings substantiate the need for transforming beekeeping toward cooperation, technological modernization, and the development of organized market channels as key conditions for enhancing the long-term sustainability of the industry.