Exporting markets
There are many export markets which are unavailable to Tanzanian honey currently, some of these we would have a large advantage over other countries in exporting to. In particular South Africa and China.
South Africa
Currently South Africa imports a huge amount of honey, with the majority coming from China and Zambia. SADC allows Tanzania to export to SA without Tariffs, giving a big price advantage over China and other countries not in SADC. However, currently the SA authorities are worried about American foul brood (AFB) and so require all honey (apart from Zambia) to be irradiated on entry, increasing effective prices by around 700 USD/MT.
Zambia has been able to export to SA without irradiation due to a study done in the country ascertaining that AFB does not exist in the country. This study was done with the consultation of the SA authorities, and so was sufficient evidence to allow waivers on the irradiation requirement for Zambian honey. An equivalent study should be conducted in Tanzania which would give access to a market which imports 6,000T/year.
China
China is a huge honey market, and will only increase over the years. The market has high value and is seeking products with historical significance and possible medicinal properties. Members of HEAT have been approached by Chinese buyers to establish Tanzanian honey in the market there. However, currently Tanzania does not have the ability to sell honey into the Chinese market and this requires bilateral trade discussions to occur at an intergovernmental level. It is our recommendation to open this market and reduce the trade deficit between Tanzania and China.
Honey from Protected Areas
National Parks
New National Parks have recently been declared in several areas in western Tanzania (Burigi/Chato, Ugalla and Kigosi). These recently declared National Parks have a large population of very productive beekeepers that have used these forests/former Game Reserves for generations. Allowing the beekeepers to continue their production, which in no way threatens the wildlife in the parks, has a number of advantages for both the economy and conservation:
- Increased household incomes from bee products for >20,000 beekeepers and their families in the areas
- Increased income for Local Government Authorities through local product taxes (ushuru) – by attracting well established export companies, the collection of ushuru will increase as less honey will be sold and transported informally.
- Establishing and maintaining Tanzania as a major player in the supply of good quality/organic honey internationally. The above mentioned areas are well known for their productivity and several well established companies have been buying organic Bee products (honey and wax) for export purposes. Building on the existing honey capacities in these areas, would significantly contribute to maintaining Tanzania as the major player in the supply of good quality honey to the international market.
- Forex Earner Export of organic bee products will earn Tanzania valuable FX receipts.
- Value adding to tourist experiences: Tourists who visit national parks are not averse to also learn about people and their use of natural resources. Therefore seeing traditional beekeeping in some national parks in western Tanzania, such as Burigi-Chato, Ugalla and Kigosi could be marketed as a cultural experience for tourists, providing an attraction that is not experienced in other areas. The Maasai in Ngorongoro, for example, are also an attraction for tourists, not a deterrent. We know from our overseas customers that they are fascinated by the natural beekeeping practiced in Tanzania.
- Improved conservation: it has been well established in several studies on community based natural resources management that the motivation for conservation in communities adjacent to protected areas increases when they are engaged in the management and/or benefit from the resources, such as honey and wax. The game reserves have reported a very significant decrease in instances of poaching since only serious beekeepers were allowed in the reserves and the price for honey and wax has improved. It is in the beekeepers and their communities’ interest to assist in protecting the forests.
Permits to enter Protected Areas
Permit systems exist for beekeepers to enter Game and Forest Reserves for good reasons. Particularly in Game Reserves it is important to keep beekeepers and hunters apart. Fortunately, there is little overlap between the main hunting season and the hive checking/harvesting season for beekeepers in those game reserves where they are allowed to keep bee hives.
Beekeepers themselves recognise the importance of protected areas and are willing to obey the rules. It many cases, though their life would be made considerably easier if permits were more aligned to their needs. For example: Checking their hives, repairing, and siting new hives usually happens in March/April, harvesting in many areas goes from mid-June to mid August, and mid October to mid December. Being at the mercy of annual rainfall cycles, these times may shift slightly.
For the purpose of increasing productivity, it would be essential to have permits issued for at least 2 months at a time, rather than the current periods of 1 month or even 3 weeks. That way the beekeepers would not lose a week or more of work in an already short season for the purposes of renewing the permits.
In National Parks and Forest Reserves, the permits could be for 3 months as there are no issues of potential overlaps with other clients. (Tourists would be interested in beekeeping activities).