Tanzania secures honey export deal

BEIJING, CHINA: FOLLOWING Tanzania’s inaugural shipment of honey to China, economists have described the move as motivation for local investors and entrepreneurs to increased investment in beekeeping.

They urged that the investors should also allocate resources for value addition to enhance the competitiveness of the sweet produce in the lucrative Chinese market.

On Wednesday, Tanzania reached a significant milestone in advancing its beekeeping sector by commencing honey exports to China. The shipment, weighing approximately 10 metric tonnes, has been procured by the East Africa Commercial Logistic Centre, a Chinese company specialising in international trade and the move is set to boost Tanzania’s presence in global markets.

The honey, exported through Weihai Huatan Supply Chain Management Company Ltd, the EACLC’s parent company, departed from Dar es Salaam Port on Wednesday and is expected to reach Weihai Port in China within 27 days, offering Chinese consumers a taste of Tanzania’s sweet produce.

China, with its massive population, requires around 32 million tonnes of honey each year, the demand presents a lucrative opportunity for Tanzania to expand its honey production and establish a stronger presence in the global market.

Speaking to the ‘Daily News,’ Economic Diplomacy expert Prof Kitojo Wetengere said that Tanzania’s entry into the Chinese honey market presents a significant opportunity for local investors to sell directly in China, eliminating the need for middlemen.

“This is a tremendous opportunity that will generate foreign currency, especially considering the high quality of Tanzania’s honey,” said Prof Wetengere.

Prof Watengere added: “Recently, we heard President Samia Suluhu Hassan joking with Kenyan President William Ruto about how Kenya traders take Tanzanian honey, process it and rebrand it, appearing to be ‘made in Kenya’’ this direct selling opportunity will eliminate middlemen.”

He further underscored that, while this initiative could serve as a catalyst for foreign exchange and open doors to other international markets, it should also serve as a motivation for local investors and businesspeople to significantly invest in beekeeping, value chain addition and forestry in the country.

An economist-cum-investment banker, Dr Hildebrand Shayo said Tanzania’s opportunity to begin selling honey in the Chinese market comes when such an opportunity needs to be fully exploited, as it will help Tanzania to earn more foreign exchange.

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He said Tanzanian products now have a chance to expand their range in the Chinese market after avocado exports in significant quantities. “China is one of the richest and most well-known countries in Asia. With the largest import volumes and the highest honey consumption.

It is also a sizable market for organic and fair-trade food products, such as honey. Due to consumers’ growing desire for natural and sustainably derived products, the Chinese market offers honey suppliers a substantial opportunity,” said Dr Shayo.

Regarding the volume of the Chinese market, especially being the world’s largest market for organic food and organic honey, Dr Shayo advised several ways Tanzania should take to excel in this business. He said, to widen the honey market, Tanzania must ensure its honey is certified.

“There is a niche market for certified honey, countries like Argentina, Brasil and Mexico are good at filling it. Given its organic honey, this is an opportunity for Tanzania to be competitive,” he said.

Speaking during the flag off of the first consignment, Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafо, said that honey is more than a commodity, it is a testament to the country’s rich biodiversity and the hard work of local farmers.

out exporting honey; it represents a vision for economic growth and international collaboration,” Dr Jafо was quoted as saying. “By tapping into the global demand for natural and organic products, we create opportunities for local communities, enhance livelihoods and contribute to Tanzania’s industrialisation agenda in line with our Tanzania Development Vision 2025,” he added.

The shipment to China is just the beginning, Dr Jafо noted, urging for continued investment in quality assurance, certification and value addition to expand Tanzania’s footprint in the global honey market. “Together, we can transform our forestry sector into a robust engine of economic growth and prosperity,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of sustainability in the honey industry, noting that bees are vital pollinators that help support ecosystems and contribute to environmental conservation. The government is committed to promoting sustainable beekeeping practices, ensuring the long-term viability of the sector.

He said Tanzania’s honey is renowned for its purity, organic nature and exceptional taste, a result of the country’s vast forests and savannas, which provide an ideal environment for beekeeping. The minister reaffirmed the government’s support for the honey industry and other sectors contributing to economic diversification.

“This day marks a new chapter in Tanzania’s trade history,” Dr Jafо said, adding, “Let this venture bring success and prosperity to all involved.” EACLC Chairperson, Dr Lisa Wang Xiangyun, said the Tanzanian honey was not only abundant in quantity but also of exceptional quality, fully reflecting the company’s stringent standards.

“The successful export of the batch of honey not only delivers natural and healthy products to Chinese consumers but also opens up new opportunities for the growth of Tanzania’s honey industry,” she said.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian described the first shipment of Tanzanian honey to China as a significant milestone in the trade and economic relations between the two countries.

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