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Honey and Beeswax
Value Chain Intervention
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Honey
extractor at
Selam Technical Center
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Economic
Background
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Beekeeping is a traditional important off farm activity to harvest honey
for many rural people in Ethiopia. Honey is sweet, thick, supersaturated
sugar solution manufactured by bees to feed their larvae and for
subsistence in winter. Bee honey is composed of fructose, glucose, and
water, in varying proportions; it also contains several enzymes and oils.
Honey has a fuel value of about 3307 cal/kg It is a small scale, rural
agricultural industry, used as a source of cash income for peasant
farmers. Ethiopia is the World’s 10th biggest honey producer and the 4th
largest beeswax producer after China, Mexico and Turkey. Owing to its
varied ecological and climatic conditions, Ethiopia is home to some of the
most diverse flora and fauna in Africa, making it highly suitable for
sustaining a large number of bee colonies. Ethiopia reportedly has the
largest Bee population in Africa with over 10 million bee colonies, out of
which about 7.5 million are confined in hives and the remaining exist in
the forest.
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Modern
mechanical centrifugal
honey extractor for 3 combs |
Productivities of honeybees are very low and average of 5-6
kg of honey could be cropped per hive per year, while from the improved
one average of 15-20 kg is possible. Honey and beeswax are collected after
the rainy season starts in October and extends until December. In the
South and Eastern parts, there is minor harvesting period in May-June. The
major honey and beeswax producing regions in Ethiopia are Oromia (about
46%), S.N.N.P.R (31%) and Tigray (5%). However, the country is suffering
from the ecological deterioration of it natural resources and this means
the basis for any honey production is threatened.
According to International
Trade Centre (ITC) 1986, total estimate of honey production for Ethiopia
ranges from 21,480– 23,700 tones per annum between the years 1984-1994.
This contributed 23.58% to total African honey production and 2.13% to
total world production in 1976-1983. The current honey production is
estimated at 24,600 tones per year. The estimate is based on 65% and 75%
occupational efficiency of 7.5 million traditional and 20 thousand framed
improved hives respectively. Honey is almost
exclusively used (80% of it) to satisfy local demand; production of “Tej”
alcoholic mead consumed locally. The honey produce is so crude that it
will not compete in the international market. However, an average of 3000
tones per annum has been exported to neighbouring countries over the years
1984-94 (ITC, 2003).
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Ethiopia is the 5th
biggest wax exporters to the world market. The annual production of wax is
estimated at 3200 tones, without considering beeswax wasted in the remote
areas. Beeswax is a valuable hive product obtained from honeybees. It is a
by-product of the honey production. Beeswax is largely collected from
traditional hives rather than the modern hives, which are presently
promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and several NGOs. The wax yield
from traditional hives is 8-10% of the honey yield, compared to 0.5-2 %
from modern hives. The bulk of the supply of beeswax is obtained as
residual from “Tej” production, a mild alcoholic beverage popular
throughout Ethiopia.
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Honey extractor:
View of the
3 baskets to hold fremes
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According to ITC, report,
export of beeswax have had difficult times in the last 5 years, showing an
average growth rate of 1 % and even negative in period of 1999-2002.
However, exports of beeswax from Ethiopia have increased spectacularly and
reached 402 tones of beeswax (1.2% share in world market), destined to
different countries (USA, Japan, Greece, Great Britain and Netherlands
etc.), generating USD 936 in 2003 (CBI, Nov, 2004 and ITC, 2003).
There are 16 companies
registered as exporters of beeswax in the country. However, except
four, many of these are not active. The lack of supply is mentioned as
one of the reason for many of them to remain inactive, not the absence
of an international market. |
Three of the 16 are
reported to be principal exporters, of which Ghion Industrial and
Commercial PLC is the largest followed by Baobed PLC and BWAP Export PLC
respectively. The former represented about 50% of the beeswax export of
the country in 2003.
In the past four years the
exported volume of beeswax and the foreign earning is enumerated in the
table below. The annual beeswax sells quantity ranges from 207 tons and
525 tons has given a corresponding sells value of half a million USD and
1.4 million USD. The annual average sells per ton do not show too much
inconsistency a change in volume of supply did not reduce the average
earnings per ton.
Export
earning from Beeswax (1993-96 E.C)
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Year (EC) |
Quantity (ton) |
Value
(Thousand USD) |
Average price
per ton (USD |
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1993 |
311 |
870 |
2,797
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1994 |
285 |
703 |
2,467
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1995 |
207 |
500 |
2,415
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1996 |
525 |
1,389 |
2,646
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Source: Ethiopian
Customs Authority and author’s calculation
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Bee
feeding |
Constraints
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The major constraints that affect apiculture in Ethiopia are lack of
beekeeping knowledge, shortage of trained manpower, shortage of beekeeping
equipment, pests and predators, fires, pesticide threat and inadequate
research works to support development programs. The cultural beehives are
not comfortable for sanitation and high level of production. Farmers are
only using the sells of the honey and do no consider wax as means of
income in their business. They don’t use proper harvesting of honey and do
not have honey and wax separator. The moisture content of the product is
beyond the standard range and critical for the business. Farmers fail to
supply honey with standard moisture content and needs improvement. The
limitations of apiculture know how especially the method of harvest and
lack of proper apiary tools are causing the honey to be with high moisture
content. The volume of production is very small and needs routine
collection from fragmented small scale production. |
Reports and documents on
Honey/Beeswax see under Library-Honey
Intervention
Points
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Introduction of modern
beehives and trainings on apiculture farming
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Supporting and
demonstrating practical apicultural tools for small holders
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Establish linkages
between apiculture farmers and private business capable to transfer
technologies appropriate to farmers and work for common benefit
Suppliers
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Local Suppliers:
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Addisu Molla
Metal Workshop
Contact Person:
Addisu Mola
Type of Equipment Supplied: Honey extractor
Address: P.O.Box 3414331, Addis Ababa,
Tel: 0911243146, 0911213981
E-mail:
geta
gacha@yahoo.com
Plastic honey extractor -
Birr 2600-
Birr 2900
Aluminum honey extractor – Birr 2700- Birr 3000
Rubber wax tray mold
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Birr 2000-
Birr 2500
The
above price quotation is valid for 3 months. In addition the
price considers the delivery of the items in our workshop. Our
production capacity is 10 units per day. One year guarantee is
available for all our products. With regards,
Addisu
Molla,
Manager |
Suppliers
abroad:
Neway PLC,
Import-Export and Commission Agent
P.O.Box 13056 Addis Ababa,
Tel.251-011-1556136, Fax.251-0111-1550572
SELAM Technical and
Vocational Center
P.O.Box 8075 Addis Ababa,
Tel.251-011-(6463061/6462942)
,Fax.25-011-011-6462945
E Mail:
selam@telecom.net.et
GRAZE
Germany,
Tel.+49-7151-969230, Fax.+49-7151-969233
E Mail:
info.@graze.org,
Webpage:
www.graze.org
Betterbee.com
http://www.betterbee.com/flat/beekeeping-supplies.htm
Hive essentials:
Bees and Queens,
Beginning Beekeeping Kit,
Polystyrene Hives,
Wooden Hives,
FramesFoundations,
Beekeeping tools:
Bee Feed & Feeders,
Bee Medications,
Books,
Comb Honey Supplies,
Galvanized Hardware Cloth,
Hive Wrap,
Hive Gadgets,
Hive Tools,
Observation Hives,
Pollen Traps,
Protective Clothing,
Queen Excluders,
Queen Rearing Supplies,
Smokers
Processing equipment:
Beeswax Processing,
Honey House,
Honey Processing
Honey containers:
Comb Honey,
Liquid Honey:
Bulk,
Glass,
Plastic,
Closures
Labels:
Comb Honey,
Liquifying,
Nutritional,
Liquid Honey,
Pollen,
Varietal Honey
Markets
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Domestic
Market:
Domestic market opportunities for honey are
mainly Addis supermarkets, groceries, schools, university, hotels, bars
and restaurants.
List of supermarkets:
Foreign Markets:
Alibaba.com. Internet Market place for sellers
and buyers
http://beeswax.directory.alibaba.com/
WCC Honey Marketing
http://www.wcommerce.com/
WCC Honey Marketing is the largest independent honey
processor in the western U.S. WCC markets honey, and a variety of
sweeteners to the industrial, Food Service, and retail trade.
WCC is a direct importer of honey from worldwide
sources.
Standards
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In the following please find the
specifications of honey, beeswax and beehives for download.
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Ethiopian
Standards for Honey and Beeswax for download
Honey Specification
- Reference Number
es-1202_2005.pdf
83 KB
Contents: Scope, Normative reference, Definitions, General,
Hyhiene, Packing and labeling, Sampling, Determination of moisture content, reducing sur content,
apparent sucrose content, Gravimetric determination of water-insoluble
solids content, mineral content, acidity, diastase activity, Hydroxymethylfutural in honey
spectophotometric method.
Beeswax Specification -
es-1203_2005.pdf 475 KB
Contents: Scope, Definition, Types of Beeswax,
Requirements, Packing and labeling, Sampling, Marking, Compliance,
Determination of specific gravity, melting point, refractive index, ash,
total voatile matter, acid value, saponification value, Test for parafin and other waxes
Beehives Specification -
es-1204_2005.pdf
1,24 MB
Contents: Scope, Normative reference, Definitions, Types and sizes
of beehives, General requirements, Essential partsof beehives,
Requirements and dimensions of beehives.
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Coordination
Group of the Honey/Beeswax Value Chain
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The coordination group
including the main stakeholders of each value chain is the leading
group for the value chain specific intervention.
Strategic Intervenmtion Plans
(SIP), Reports and documents on
Honey/Beeswax
and Coordination Group meetings see under Library-Honey
Value Chain Leader:
Haile Giorgis Demissie
Name of the
company: Beza MarAgro Industry,
Position: Operational Manager
Address:
P.O.Box
42787 Addis Ababa
Tel.
+251-
011(5505099)/011(5520366),
091(1201686),
Fax:
+251-011(5515352)
E-mail:
bezamar@ethionet.et
Value Chain Facilitator:
BCaD-Consulting Management /Business Creation and
Development Services
Contact person:
Afework Yohannes
Address:
P.O.Box 11194,
Tel.
+251- 0911-242303/011-4655687, Fax: +251-011-4661997
E-mail:
bcad@ethionet.et ,
Website:
www.bds-ethiopia.net/bcad
Coordination
Group Members are the following:
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Ministries and implementing
agencies:
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National
Support Institutions:
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Private Honey Processing
Firms:
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Associations:
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NGOs and Projects:
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Finance:
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Consultancy:
Achievements
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SNV-BOAM has assisted to the request of 7
honey processing companies at the creation of “Ethiopian Honey & Beeswax
Producers and Exporters Association” (EHBPEA) by facilitating (through
its contacts to the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce) their registration
formalities with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI),
conducting an
annual planning workshop, brokering intermediate start-up finance of
office space and managerial support in Cooperation with USAID GEM
project.
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BOAM has assured the participation of the
chair of EHBPEA to international conference on honey in Ireland.
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A discussion was held with SOS Sahel
regarding the potential for collaboration on developing a synergistic
approach to the development of international labeling standards. In one
case, BOAM’s consultant has been asked to assist with the SOS Sahel’s
new programme to develop bee products with small-scale producer groups
in the Kafa District. The assistance is focused on achieving
certification and the necessary export grades. This may be a project
that SNV could work with, through a synergized approach, to piloting an
organic and fair-trade bee products initiative in the Kafa district.
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Other areas of concern
included access to
trade finance, understanding the opportunities of fair-trade and of
securing low interest supportive loans from ‘green’ banks and ethical
trade finance institutions.
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Further guidance and advice was provided
on marketing and product development information.
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The SNNPR Micro & Small Enterprises
Development Bureau requested fund for the project entitled” Training of
women Entrepreneurs on Producing Honey Harvesting Clothes and Other
Materials in SNNPR “ is approved
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The SNNPR Bureau of Agriculture and Rural
Development funds request for the project entitled
”Sensitizing
Workshop on Planting Indigenous Bee Forage in SNNPR “ is approved. This
project is a community-based activity intended to promote the forage
quality in rural areas by mobilising the civil society.
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285 (265M & 20F) farmers’ beekeepers in
Kaffa zone, Bonga area got knowledge & technical skills after they
trained on beekeeping management.
Outcome: The trainees are
able to:
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Identify composition of bee colonies
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Identify basic beekeeping equipments &
their use
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Understand how to transfer bee colonies
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Understand how to store & handle honey
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210 (192 male
+ 18 female) beekeepers in Ada’a and
Zequala areas have got knowledge & technical skills after they trained
on beekeeping popularization. They are ready to train others as
per work plan of the project
Outcome
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A strong network of private and public,
local and international resource persons and consultants with complementing expertise has been
created (Honey Quality Working Group, national and
international consultants who are
working on EU accreditation).
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Stakeholders now are able to identify and
take responsibility in the respective roles in value chain development.
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Capacities of stakeholders (beekeeping
training for farmers) being strengthened: better beekeeping skills.
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The creation (registration/ foundation) of
EHBPEA.
Impact Indicators of the
Programme Objective (impact according to the honey value chain):
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Impact in terms of increased
production capacity and increased turnover and sales:
Tentative arrangements/agreement
made among local operators and international buyers. Accordingly,
Tropical Forest Product Ltd made a contact with Beza Mar Agro-Industry.
Similarly, Walter Lang Honig Import
GmbH also appreciated taste, smell and
color of Kaffa honey has got good feedback
from the seminar. If the
established commercial relations come to a positive result, then
production, turn over, sales and income will absolutely increase.
Contracts are expected to be signed following the EU accreditation.
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Impact in terms of improved product
quality: Professional
capacities of stakeholders (beekeeping training
for farmers) being strengthened: better beekeeping and
bee product processing skills.
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Impact in terms of increased
employment:
Beza Mar Agro-Industry
(honey value chain) has a plan to recruit 56 employees for his
commercial Bee Farming and Establishment of Semi-Processing Plant in Sheka Bench Maji Zones of SNNPR (as indicated in the business plan).
Similarly, Apinec Agro-Industry is in the process of establishing
honey-processing plant that will create job opportunity.
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Impact in terms of networking:
A strong network of private
and public resource persons and consultants with complementing expertise
has been created (Honey Quality Working Group, international consultants
who are working on EU accreditation)
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