Empowering the honey sector in Tanzania

Tanzania is the second largest honey producer in Africa after Ethiopia and the largest African supplier to the European Union (EU). The sector generates high-quality honey worth €7.96 million and beeswax worth €1.59 million annually, with combined exported products worth €1.69 million.

To empower the private sector and actors working in this sector and to contribute to the country’s inclusive economic growth, the International Trade Centre (ITC) with Belgian Development Agency ENABEL, and in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania, have initiated a new EU-funded project that develops the beekeeping value chain in Tanzania.

ENABEL and ITC plan to hone an enabling business environment for the beekeeping value chain at the institutional as well as at the production level, with ITC leading activities that will strengthen market access and the trade of bee products.

Additionally, through this project, ITC will be supporting business support organizations as well as engaging with small businesses that are involved in the honey value chain. The organization will build the necessary physical and institutional capacities and infrastructure to increase their market integration and export competitiveness locally, regionally, and internationally.

In specifics, ITC will support all relevant stakeholders with trade information and market intelligence, business and financial management services, technical expertise on packaging and product certification, market intelligence, as well as strengthening market linkages of small businesses in the value chain.

Early April, the project saw its first Steering Committee meeting in Tabora, which included a visit to Tabora’s Regional Commission Office and Beekeeping Institute.  Regional Commissioner, H.E. Batilda Buriani appreciated the programme’s interventions and goals, which align with the Government’s goals in enhancing and supporting the sustainable development of the Tanzanian beekeeping sector.  She acknowledged the feasibility and importance of the programme’s interventions as they add value and create local and international market opportunities.

About the project

The EU-funded initiative falls under the 11th European Development Fund’s National Indicative Programme for Tanzania (2014-2020), in which sustainable agriculture is a key sector. ITC is working in collaboration with ENABEL to empower the private sector actors working in this sector (including women and youth where appropriate).

Together they will contribute to inclusive economic growth in Tanzania (particularly in the regions of Tabora, Kigoma, Katavi, Singida, Shinyanga, and Pemba Island) by promoting export competitiveness and increasing the local, regional and international market integration of the honey value chain.