2nd Bees for Development African Honey Trade Workshop 2006

The second African Honey Trade Workshop was opened by Uganda's First Lady, the Honourable Mrs. Janet Museveni on 10th October 2006, at the Ridar Hotel, Seeta, Uganda. The Workshop was organised by Bees for Development with partners, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries, Uganda and The Uganda National Apicultural Development Organisation. The principal sponsor was Rowse Honey Ltd, of the UK.

The Workshop was well attended by participants from nine African countries and four European countries.

For four days, the Workshop deliberated on the challenges facing African honey businesses and heard from speakers on the requirements of EU honey buyers, the demands of European consumers, Organic apiculture and FLO certification for honey producers.

Some of the many outcomes of the Workshop included the following conclusions:

(1) African honey can find a niche on the European market only as a Speciality honey. A Speciality honey means being a unique monofloral honey, being Organic certified or FLO certified or being sold with a "story" which would be interesting for consumers and convince them of the value of the product.

(2) Meeting EU quality standards and producing adequate volumes on a regular basis are hurdles which must be overcome to export honey to Europe.

(3) For many producer groups and honey businesses in Africa targeting the domestic and regional markets will be the most successful marketing strategy.

(4) For businesses with adequate volumes of high quality honey, the special qualities of African honey should make it possible for African honey to be sold successfully as a Speciality honey in Europe. Achieving a wider appreciation of the environmental and social benefits of African honey will be a major task of the newly formed trade association, Apitrade Africa.

For the Workshop Proceedings click here
For details about Apitrade Africa click here

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