About 3,750 tonnes of honey were produced in the country last year, according to the federation of beekeepers’ cooperatives in Rwanda.
In June 2014, Rwanda was accredited among third party countries to export honey to the European Union, thanks to the quality compliance of its natural honey. However, supply isn’t meeting the demand, Anselme Nzabonimpa, the president of the federation of beekeepers’ cooperatives in Rwanda told The New Times.
“Though Rwanda’s honey was awarded European Union market, they [buyers in the EU] are requesting us to assure them of a sustainable supply of honey from January 1 to December 31. Yet, honey in Rwanda is harvested only in July, August and September and they needed 20 tonnes of honey per week more than our production capacity then,” he said.
Nzabonimpa added that to get enough honey to export they need to produce at least over 5,000 tonnes of honey per year.
Another concern is that honey that comes from Vietnam and China to the EU market is cheaper, at $4 a kilogramme, compared to Rwandan honey, which goes for $9 a kilogramme on the EU market.
“There are some business people who said they would be giving us $4 per kilogramme once the honey has reached the Kigali International Airport and they would pay for the flight charges themselves. But, we realised that it would be a raw deal for us,” he told The New Times last Thursday.
A kilogramme of honey from beekeepers costs between Rwf2,100 and Rwf2,600.
Nzabonimpa, however, said they have embarked on measures to increase honey produce to meet the EU demand.
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