Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo
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TRADE development and promotion agency, ZimTrade, is working on establishing honey clusters in Matabeleland North and Bulawayo provinces in a bid to increase output for the export market.
In 2022, ZimTrade developed a similar cluster in the Mashonaland region and this year the focus is on the Matabeleland region.
Given the growing global demand for honey and other organic produce, ZimTrade has indicated that there is a higher potential for business from the two Matabeleland provinces to bolster production.
Already several players in both provinces are into beekeeping and what they need is assistance to structure their business and consolidate growth with more established players.
The increase in the number of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and other related diseases worldwide has challenged the global food industry to embrace better substitutes for oils, starches and more specifically, sugar.
More health-conscious consumers now opt for natural sugars such as honey in place of artificial sweeteners because of the health benefits that are associated with them.
This has seen a surge in demand for honey in particular, whose uses extend far beyond the kitchen table, making it a very important source of income for many economies, and presenting numerous opportunities for Zimbabwean producers.
As such, ZimTrade said the objectives of the formation of the honey cluster is to grow the country’s export revenue, diversify product composition by developing non-traditional exports, such as honey and honey products. This is expected to assist in growing the exporter base by integrating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into export value chain, and creating synergies to be utilised to build export potential.
“In the Matabeleland North and Bulawayo provinces, beekeeping farmers are found in the different districts, but mostly in Lupane, Hwange, Nkayi, Umguza and metropolitan Bulawayo,” said ZimTrade.
“On the marketing side, there is generally unmet demand for honey in the local market with very few exports being made from the province, some of which are carried out through informal channels.
“The production and marketing of by-products such as wax is still underdeveloped among producers in the province and there is generally a low production of honey owing to various constraints such as lack of hives due to lack of funding among others.”
Early this year, the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Social Welfare in partnership with private and public organisations organised a beekeeping training in Umguza where about 500 beekeepers were trained on honey production ahead of provision of equipment like hives, clothing and other critical inputs.
ZimTrade has said a validation and strategic planning session is set for end of this month, and that will be the roadmap for the development, capacitation and promotion of the honey cluster.
According to the trade map, global imports of honey in 2020, amounted to US$2,27 billion increasing from US$2 billion in 2019. At least 693,486 tonnes of honey were s traded, with top importers being the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and France.
Europe is mainly supplied by developing countries. Major exporters of honey from Africa are Zambia, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. The global trade in honey has been on an upward trend and grew by 11 percent between 2019 and 2020.
The USA alone imported about 200 000 tonnes of honey valued at US$441 million and the average selling price of honey in the states has been increasing over the years.
The EU is a net importer of honey from third-world countries. The increased demand in Europe for honey and the inadequate supplies put exporters from developing countries in an apt and favourable position.
Zimbabwe has a growing honey producer base and systems to increase production are key if the country is to contribute meaningfully to global honey trade.
According to statistics from Agritex, honey production in Zimbabwe averages 400 000kgs annually and exports to international markets is hampered by inadequate supply as well as product certification requirements. — @SikhulekelaniM1.
Online Reporter