Honey exports down despite good quality

Uganda’s honey producers are yet to tap bonuses enjoyed in export trade as export volumes remain low, despite the commodity’s demand on the international market due to its good quality.

Experts and players blame the paltry export volumes on low production, which has also limited to the domestic market, limiting exports. Mr Robert Kisenyi, ApiTrade Africa Company publicity and promotion officer says most of the honey produced is absorbed by the domestic market limiting exportations.

“Most of the honey currently produced is consumed locally closing out chances of exporting, but production is progressively growing, an indication that the country will soon increase its export volumes,” he says.

Statistics from ApiTrade Africa, a company responsible for monitoring and promoting honey in 15 African honey producing countries, indicate that about 95 per cent of the honey produced in the country is consumed domestically and only five per cent is exported.

However, Uganda is one of the five African countries accredited by the European Union (EU) to export honey to the 27 EU countries. Since 2005, when Ugandan honey was certified by EU, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has been carrying out national residue tests, which are submitted to the EU commission and none of its submissions have been queried or rejected. EU instead commends the superior honey quality.

Director of Sulma Foods Ltd, Abdul Karim explains that although they are yet to raise substantial volumes for exports, the commodity is drawing attractive prices at the local market.

“Demand is growing daily and the increase in sugar prices was a blessing to us. It had a great impact as more people started consuming honey as an alternative to sugar,” Mr Karim says.

The producer also attributes the increase in honey consumption to the commodity’s medicinal element. On a local market, honey is commonly packed in small quantities of 100g, 250g and 500g.

Honey retail prices locally and regionally hover around Shs4, 500 and Shs7, 000 per 500gs. Internationally, a kilogramme of honey goes for $4.94 (about Shs16, 800) to $5.26 (about Shs12, 3090) per litre.

Mr Karim adds that due to increasing demand amid low production, sometimes some processors are forced to import raw honey from Democratic Republic of Cong (DRC) to meet the market demand.

“Climate change has been our biggest challenge. It has caused bees to abscond, causing scarcity,” he explains. Figures vary, but estimates of Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO), indicate that the country has a potential annual honey output of 500,000 metric tonnes, but is producing a mere 14,000 tonnes, while Northern Uganda produces the highest values, about 640 metric tonnes.

Uganda has 30 established honey processors producing some of the best quality honey production in the world. Mr Brian Mugisha, director of Golden bees Ltd, says besides bad climatic conditions, packaging their products has been a major problem.

Packaging materials recommended for exports are quite expensive compared to plastics commonly used in the country. “With an increase in choice of packing material like adopting glass containers, production for both local and export will go up provided the climate remains stable,” Mr Mugisha said.

Similarly, Mr Kisenyi says production will more than double in the near future since companies have made great investments in the sector. He says companies have established production roots and networks.

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