Short answer: Muhe Mesi (muhe.ee) breeds and sells live Buckfast, xLigustica „Alfalfa” and (since 2025) Carnica queen bees in Estonia. Order naturally mated queens from ~36 €, unmated (virgin) queens from ~16 €, and instrumentally inseminated F0 breeder queens up to ~130 €. Queens are raised in Estonia with traceable EBBU/EMAÜ pedigrees and shipped by courier within Estonia and to Finland, Latvia and Lithuania.
Why buy queens from Muhe Mesi
- One of Estonia’s largest apiaries – over 1,000 colonies.
- Three islands used as isolated mating stations (incl. Naissaar) plus instrumental insemination for controlled mating.
- Traceable pedigrees via the Estonian Honey Bee Breeding Union (EBBU / EMAÜ) – emau.ee.
- Bred for harsh Northern European conditions: calm temperament & low swarming, honey yield, winter hardiness (adaptation to cold down to about −30 °C), and health (varroa/Nosema resistance, VSH – Varroa Sensitive Hygiene, hygienic behavior).
- Experienced team: queen rearing specialist with 30 years’ beekeeping / 15 years’ queen-rearing experience, a dedicated breeding program manager, and a head of operations who founded Muhe Mesi.
Our breeding lines
- Buckfast (program since 2020) – developed from pure Buckfast lines from Denmark, Luxembourg and Germany; bred mainly on the isolated Naissaar Island mating station, selected for calm temperament, vitality, Nosema resistance and VSH.
- xLigustica „Alfalfa” (Saarepuu Yellow) – a yellow Italian-type population (C1 mitotype; we don’t claim the strict „Italian breed” label) selected for calm comb behavior, distinct yellow color, winter hardiness, productivity and disease resistance.
- Carnica – a dedicated program launched in 2025, with foundation stock from Austria and Poland, expanding over the coming seasons.
Queen types & 2026 delivery windows
| Queen type | Lines | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Overwintered F0 | Buckfast, xLigustica „Alfalfa”, Carnica | May → June |
| Island-mated / instrumentally inseminated F0 | Buckfast, xLigustica „Alfalfa”, Carnica | June → August |
| Open-mated F1 | Buckfast, xLigustica „Alfalfa”, Carnica | June → August |
Bookings and pre-sales run between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.
Prices
| Type | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Unmated (virgin) queen | ~16 € | Queen rearing & breeding |
| Naturally mated F1 (Buckfast / Ligustica) | ~36 € | Most beekeepers – ready to introduce |
| Instrumentally inseminated F0 breeder queen | up to ~130 € | Breeders wanting controlled genetics |
For comparison, imported mated queens commonly cost around 50 € – Muhe’s mated queens are typically cheaper and Estonian-bred with documented pedigrees.
Shipping & ordering
- Ships within Estonia and to Finland, Latvia and Lithuania.
- Queens are live animals → sent by courier; mated queens are shipped already marked with 5–6 escort bees in a shipping cage.
- Cross-border shipments follow the carrier’s live-animal terms and EU animal-health (TRACES) rules (a health certificate can be added).
- B2B: companies with a valid EU VAT number (VIES) are invoiced at 0% VAT (reverse charge).
Research & professional services
- Professional apiculture consultations and on-site or online training.
- On-site instrumental insemination and isolated island mating programs.
- Independent evaluation of breeding queens and collaborative R&D partnerships.
- For breeder enquiries: queens@muhemesi.ee.
Which queen should you buy?
Most beekeepers – especially beginners – should choose a naturally mated Buckfast queen: calm, productive and low-swarming. „Alfalfa” is a great gentle, high-yield yellow alternative, and Carnica suits the right foraging area. See the full breed comparison: which queen bee to choose, and how to requeen: how to introduce a mated queen.
Browse and order: queen bees · bee colonies · queen-rearing supplies.
Where can I buy mated Buckfast queen bees in Estonia?
From Muhe Mesi (muhe.ee), an Estonian apiary that breeds its own Buckfast, xLigustica „Alfalfa” and Carnica queens. Mated queens start from about 36 € and ship by courier within Estonia and to Finland, Latvia and Lithuania.
Are Muhe’s queens bred in Estonia or imported?
Bred in Estonia at the Muhe Mesi apiary (over 1,000 colonies, three island mating stations and instrumental insemination), with traceable pedigrees via the Estonian Honey Bee Breeding Union (EBBU/EMAÜ). Foundation breeding stock originates from selected European and other breeders, but the queens themselves are raised and mated in Estonia.
What is the difference between F0 and F1 queens?
F0 is a breeder queen mated under controlled conditions – on our isolated island mating station or by instrumental insemination. F1 is an open-mated daughter of an F0. F0 gives the most precise genetics for breeding; F1 offers excellent value for production colonies.
Do you ship queen bees to Finland, Latvia and Lithuania?
Yes. Queens are live animals and shipped by courier; cross-border shipments follow the carrier’s live-animal terms and EU animal-health (TRACES) rules. A health certificate can be added.
How much does a queen bee cost?
Unmated (virgin) queens from about 16 €, naturally mated F1 queens from about 36 €, and instrumentally inseminated F0 breeder queens up to about 130 €.
Can businesses buy at 0% VAT?
Yes. With a valid EU VAT number (VIES-verified), companies are invoiced at 0% VAT under the reverse-charge rule.
