The honey industry in COMESA: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Global honey production in 2013 is estimated at 1,663,797.73 tones and the five leading producers in the same year were China, Turkey, Argentina, Ukraine and Russia who contribute 450,300; 94,694; 80,000; 73,713; and 68,446 tones, respectively to the total world production. In terms of trade, only about 31.2 % of global honey production entered international trade in the same year. Whereas, the total natural honey production in Africa in 2013 was only 10.2% (169,306.00 tones) of which, 1.55 % entered international trade. The total honey production from COMESA Member States in 2013 was estimated at 81,454 tones and the total wax production was 9,811 tones. The four leading Honey producer Member States in
the same year in the region were Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt and Madagascar who contributed 45,000, 12,000, 5100, and 4400 tones, respectively. In terms of trade, only 2.74% of honey produced entered international markets partly being influenced by food quality standard requirements by developed countries. Cognizant of the suitable agro-ecological zones and potential for intensification, honey bee production is potentially one of the most significant resources that Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries can harness for livelihood and economic growth. It serves as a source of income, employment and public revenue.
In COMESA, there is significant potential for production and trade. However, in many Member States, critical challenges to more effective participation in honey bee production and trade include limited technical capacity to implement modern honey bee production, lack of laboratory facilities and operational capacity, poorly defined roles of private and public sector in planning and implementation, lack of market support systems, and inadequate enforcement of quality standards. In addition, poor access to financial service sectors, inefficient cross-border trade facilities and weak organizational capacity of small-scale operators remain major challenges. The absence of a national policy in most of COMESA Member States on the development of the honey sub-sector appears to be one of the major causes for lack of coherence in the industry; neither do the strategic approaches and  interventions by development agencies through various programs appear to be addressing issues affecting the industry on sustainable bases. In order to overcome the current development challenges and achieve the desired outcomes, significant investments are required especially in the area of production and trade. Establishing intra-regional honey bee product supply chains is essential, and requires significant support to sustain supplies, improve trade efficiencies and enhance the quality of products. It is also important to put in place effective and harmonized regulatory frameworks and enforcement of standard management measures in collaboration
with Member States and all concerned stakeholders.

Key words; COMESA, Honey, beeswax, production export