THE MARKETING OF BEE PRODUCTS IN TANZANIA
A Mwakatobe and C Mlingwa

This page is the complete text of a paper presented at the Bees for Development Honey Trade Workshop held in Dublin, Ireland in August 2005.

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© A Mwakatobe and C Mlingwa

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted during October 2003 to June 2004 in ten regions namely; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Morogoro, Shinyanga Tabora and Tanga. Municipality urban and sub-urban areas were visited to obtain data on the market of bee products. Specific sites visited in each area were hotels, restaurants, general markets, shops, super-markets and pharmacy shops. The study was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires and direct observations in various study sites. Public awareness of honey was high for surveyed regions, ranged from 76.7% in Kilimanjaro to 100% in Iringa, Mbeya and Tanga Regions. Availability of honey in various types of market was high in Iringa (53.3%) followed by Dar es Salaam (36.6%). Mbeya region was the least in honey availability among the ten regions surveyed (5.3%). In all surveyed regions, the main uses of honey were food and medicine. However, Kilimanjaro had the lowest usage of honey (49% of people interviewed). The chief source of honey was Tabora Region. Other important sources of honey in Tanzania are Singida, Iringa and Dodoma Regions. There was also honey from outside the country. Most honey was imported from Kenya (45%), followed by Switzerland (20%), Australia (17.5%), USA (15%) and UK (2.5%) It is suggested that for beekeeping to play an important role in poverty alleviation in rural communities, domestic market for honey as for other bee products, should be increased so that beekeepers will be able sell much more honey and generate considerable revenue to sustaining their living. Therefore, concerted effort on the promotion of usage of honey among the public is important.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Tanzania is among countries in the world with a high production of bee products especially honey and beeswax. The high production of bee produces in Tanzania is mainly due to presence of a high population of bee colonies that are estimated at 9.2 million, and also due to presence of high number of vegetation that are preferred by bees in many areas of the country (Kihwele et al., 2001; Latham, 2001; Mbuya et al., 1994). The presence of miombo trees (Brachystegia, Julbernardia, Isoberlina, Combretum, Terminalia spp etc) also contributes significantly to the high production potential of bee products in the country.

Tanzanian honey is known all over the world due to its organic nature compared to honey from other countries (MNRT, 1998). Due to its organic nature, Tanzanian honey has received a high demand in many countries in Europe (e.g. Germany, Holland, England, and Belgium) and other countries in the world. Due to an increasing concern from consumers for no or little chemicals in food products, it is expected that the demand for organically produced honey will be even more in the future. Based on statistics of 1998, the annual capacity of Tanzania for honey and beeswax production are 138,000 and 9,200 tonnes respectively (MNRT, 1998). However, the country is currently producing 4,860 tonnes of honey and 324 tonnes of beeswax per year, which represents only 3.5% of the annual production potential of the country. Beekeeping in Tanzania is mainly rural-based practiced by local beekeepers in villages. The present low production potential might be due to poor market and demand of honey and beeswax. Lack of market does not mean only the external market, but also the internal market that is more important and easily accessible for local bee farmers. The lack of a potential reliable market for honey and beeswax has been the main obstacle for farmers to rely on beekeeping in order to increase household income and food security, efforts that can contribute positively toward poverty reduction.

From the fact that lack of market is the main cause of reduced production of bee products and their profitability, and that little is known on market of bee products in Tanzania; this study was initiated to asses market situation of bee products, especially honey, within Tanzania. Results from this study will contribute towards designing rational and sustainable measures to increase the market of bee products in Tanzania. Such measures will enable the beekeeping industry to contribute significantly towards poverty alleviation through increased household income and national development in general.

1.1 Objectives
The overall objective of the study is to generate information that can be used to draw-up measures to enable the beekeeping industry to enhance its contribution towards poverty alleviation in Tanzania.

1.2 The specific objectives

(i)  To assess public awareness on honey.
(ii)  To assess availability of honey in the local market.
(iii) To assess the usage of honey.
(iv) To determine sources of honey.
 

2.1 Study area
The study was conducted during October 2003 to June 2004 in ten regions namely: Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Morogoro, Shinyanga Tabora and Tanga. Municipality urban and sub-urban areas were visited to obtain data on the market of bee products. Specific sites visited in each area were hotels, restaurants, general markets, shops, super-markets and pharmacy shops.

2.2 Methodology
Data was collected by semi-structured questionnaires. Nine interviewers were divided in each municipality to collect information in the respective areas. Prior to dissemination of the questionnaire, it was pre-tested to few individuals before formulating the final questionnaire, followed by a short seminar to interviewers. Interviewers administered the questionnaires to salesmen and women, individuals and consumers of bee products in urban centres in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Morogoro, Shinyanga, Tabora and Tanga. Responses for every interviewee were recorded in the questionnaires. Moreover, direct observation of storage facilities was conducted on site and photographs of bee product samples in respective containers were taken.

In subsequent sections, the following abbreviations have been used particularly in Figures, Charts and Tables:

ARU = Arusha MBY = Mbeya
DAR = Dar es Salaam MOR = Morogoro
DOM = Dodoma SHY = Shinyanga
IRA = Iringa TBR = Tabora
KLM = Kilimanjaro TAN = Tanga

3.0 RESULTS

3.1 Awareness of honey
Regions surveyed and the numbers of people interviewed on awareness of honey in percentages are indicated in Figure 1. Either the awareness of honey ranged from 76.7% in Kilimanjaro to 100% in Iringa, Mbeya and Tanga regions. An unawareness of honey ranged from 1.2% in Dodoma to 23.3% in Kilimanjaro region. More than 20% (N=382) of people interviewed in Kilimanjaro region were unaware of honey. Regions with more than 10% of interviewed people who were unaware of honey included Arusha (N=594), Shinyanga (N=231) and Tabora regions (N=310). In Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Morogoro less than 10% of people interviewed were unaware of honey.

Figure 1: Levels of public awareness of honey in ten regions (Numbers below each region
represent sample size i.e. people interviewed).

3.2 Market of honey

3.2.1 Availability of honey
Availability of honey in ten regions surveyed is indicated in Figure 2. Availability of honey in these regions was high in Iringa (53.3%) followed by Dar es Salaam (36.6%). Mbeya region was the least in honey availability among the ten regions surveyed (5.3%).

Figure 2: Availability of honey in ten regions (Numbers below each region represent sample size i.e. places visited).

3.2.2 Prices of local honey
Prices of local honey in 500 g bottles are indicated in Table 1. The highest price of honey was in Iringa where it ranged from TSh. 800 – 3000 with average price of TSh. 1600, whereas the lowest price was in Tabora with average of TSh. 500 (range of price was TSh. 300 – 500) TSh.

Table 1a: Prices of local honey in 500g bottles in ten regions (N represents sample size)

3.2.3 Price of imported honey

Price of imported honey in 500g bottles in ten surveyed regions (N = 23) ranged from TSh. 1500 – 9000 with the average of about TSh. 4000/=.

3.2.4 Sales of honey
Table 2 indicates the average number of bottles (each with 500g) sold per week in surveyed regions. Tabora region lead all surveyed regions by selling more than 200 bottles per week. Dodoma region sold more than 20 bottles per week followed by Shinyanga region that sold more than 10 bottles. The remaining regions sold less than 10 bottles per week.

Table 2: Sales of honey per week (500g bottles) in ten regions (N represents number of shops visited)

3.3 Uses of honey

The uses of honey in ten surveyed regions are indicated in Fig 3. In all regions, the main use of honey was food and medicine. However, the other use of honey recorded during the survey includes rituals, brewing and cosmetics. More than 80% of people interviewed in Dodoma, Mbeya, Shinyanga and Tanga regions claimed to use honey as food and medicine. Regions with people interviewed that claimed to use honey, as food and medicine above 70% were Morogoro and Tabora whereas 50% of people interviewed in Arusha and Dar es Salaam claimed to use honey as food and medicine. In contrast, Kilimanjaro region less than 50% of interviewed people claimed to use honey as food and medicine. Considering honey as food alone, more than 50% of people interviewed in Iringa and Mbeya regions claimed to use honey as food. Use of honey as food in the other regions scored less than 50% of all people interviewed. More than 60% of people interviewed in Tanga region claimed to use honey as food as well as medicine whereas the respondents in remaining regions did not either respond to the question (i.e. Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Shinyanga and Tabora or scored less than 50%. Considering honey as medicine alone, no any region scored 50%. Only in Arusha region, among the ten regions surveyed, more than 40% of people interviewed claimed to use honey as medicine only. Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Shinyanga and Tabora regions scored 30% and/or above for the use of honey as medicine alone. The remaining regions surveyed scored 20% and/or less for the use of honey as medicine alone.

Figure 3(a- f): Levels and type of honey use in 10 regions.

3.4. Sources of honey

3.4.1 Internal sources
Among the ten regions surveyed, Tabora has been indicated as a major source of honey for most regions except Iringa and Mbeya, which get the entire supply within the respective regions, whereas Kilimanjaro region obtain 47.4% of honey within the region (Fig. 4a-j).
Figure 4(a-d): Sources of local honey in ten regions (N represents sample size)

3.4.2 External sources
Among the foreign countries, which supply honey to Tanzania, Kenya was the leading country importing 45% of the total import followed by Switzerland (20%), Australia (17.5%), USA (15%) and the least supply was UK (2.5%).

Region wise, 100% of honey from external sources that was supplied in Kilimanjaro (N = 2) and Tanga (N = 15) came from Kenya, and supply in Morogoro (N = 1) came from Switzerland. External sources that supply Arusha (N =8) came also from Kenya 75%, UK 12.5% and Australia 12.5%. Dar es Salaam was supplied by USA and Australia (each supplying 50%). In Shinyanga region, only one shop was supplied by three different countries: UK, Hong Kong and Arab Emirates. Tabora region was not supplied by any external sources.

3.5 Package and labelling facilities
In most shops, supermarkets and pharmacies surveyed in ten regions, honey was packed in good packages with labels (see Plate 1). Labels were ranked into two categories, best or first class for imported and better or second-class for local labelled honey. The imported and the labelled local honey had important information like nutritive values, the country of origin, the packaging company, town and the batch number. The ranking of labels based on the quality of the label and the texture of the paper used for labelling.

Plate 1: Honey in bottles of differing label qualities

However, most of market surveyed, honey was packed in used glass bottles, which initially had been used for other items (e.g. hard and soft drinks. ‘Konyagi’ (a brand of hard drink) bottles were the commonest storage facilities. Some markets were found selling honey in rusted metal containers. There was also leakage of honey in some of the storage containers.

3.6 Advertisement
Among the 10 surveyed regions, only two advertisements were found in Shinyanga and Tabora regions (see right).

Plate 2: A poster on honey at Tabora

4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 CONCLUSIONS

Based on above results it may be concluded that:

• Public awareness on honey appears high.

• However, availability of honey in the local market is low.

• Where available, honey is used as food and medicine.

• However, the per capita consumption of honey in the country is not yet known.

• Tabora remains the main source of honey although production potentials are high in most other regions in the country.

• It is interesting to note the presence on imported honey given Tanzania’s highest beekeeping potential.

4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

• The challenge therefore remains on increasing production and local consumption in order to broaden the market base of Tanzanian honey.

• The foreign and local markets of quality honey are equally important for beekeeping to contribute to poverty alleviation.

• For example, if the annual per capita consumption of honey would be
  - 150g, 5,000 tonnes would be needed,
  - 300g, 10,200 tonnes would be needed,
  - 1Kg, 34,000 tonnes would be needed,
  to meet the local market.

• Increased local market of honey will depend on the promotion of usage of honey among the general public.

5. REFERENCES

Kihwele, D. V.N.; Massawe, A.J.; Lwoga, P.G.; Burton, S. (2001) Beekeeping in Tanzania.

Ministry of natural Resources and Tourism: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Latham, P. (2001). Beekeeping and some honey bee plants in Umalia, Southern Tanzania. Mimeo. 89pp.

Mbuya, L.H.P.; Msanga, C.K.; Ruffo, (1994). Useful trees and shrubs for Tanzania. Regional Soil Conservation Unit, SIDA-542P. Nairobi, Kenya.

MNRT (1998). National Beekeeping Policy. Ministry of Lands, Natural Resource and Tourism. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
 

Contact details:
A Mwakatobe and C Mlingwa
Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, P.O. Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 0 (27) 2509871/2544677
Fax: +255 0 (27) 2548240
E-mail: tawiri@habari.co.tz
 

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