This paper analyzes the conditions of beekeeping in the Republic of Croatia and EU, number and distribution of beekeepers and honeybee colonies, production and consumption of honey, import and export of honey, as well as guidelines for further development of these activities. Beekeeping in Croatia has a long tradition. In comparison to pasture potential and necessity for pollination of cultivated and wild plants, current beekeeping is inadequately developed and distributed in different regions. Consumption of honey in the EU is 3 to 8 kg per capita in a year, and in the Republic of Croatia consumption is much lower. The EU do not produce enough honey for their needs, and that is big, but for now unused, export opportunity for Croatian beekeeping. Bee products-honey, pollen, wax, propolis, Royal Jelly, and bee poison are used as food and dietary supplement because of their functional properties in solving health problems. This is why the bee products are important for production of food and other products. The Republic of Croatia due to the different climate zones (mediterranian, continetal and mountain) has different requirements for the development of beepkeeping. Because of the plant diversity in Croatia and different climate conditions, there are lots of opportunities for the production of common and also rare kinds of honey and the increase of their supply and the competitiveness, in the Croatian market, as in the market of the European Union.