Development of the beekeeping industry cannot be achieved without planning based on thorough knowledge of the economy and market. Conscious of the problems currently facing Italian apiculture, the Institute has included a careful analysis of these aspects in its research programmes.

Specifically, interest is focused on the following aspects:

- surveys conducted at all levels from production to consumption, to assess consumer demands and experiences;
- quality assessments based on individual attributes;
- determination of the factors that play a part in determining the price at which products are sold;
- relationship between quality and price;
- production aspects: quantities and costs;
- commercial aspects: quantities and trade channels.