Ethiopia is Africa’s leading producer of honey and the 4th largest producer of beeswax in the world. Beekeeping has been practiced for centuries but the sector is still underdeveloped because small-scale farmers don't have modern technologies and lack access international markets. Therefore most of the produce (honey and honeycomb) is either traded informally or used in the production of Tej, a popular Ethiopian honey wine.
Beeswax, however, is a key export product and some private investors have established processing and packaging plants.
Investment opportunities
1. Modern technologies to improve production and apiary management.
2. Processing of honey and beeswax.
3.
Marketing
Markets: The main importers of honey are the USA, Japan and EU countries.
Climate: The diversity of flora ensures an adequate supply of bee forage at different times of the year. Varied climatic and ecological conditions ensures that large numbers of bee colonies can be sustained - Ethiopia reportedly has the largest bee population in Africa.
For more information contact Aby Berhane
Economic Counselor, Embassy of Ethiopia
Pretoria, South Africa
Email: Et.trade@webmail.co.za
