Tanzania earns over US$25.9M from honey exports as sector sees steady growth
Tanzania strengthens its honey export industry with improved production, new quality standards, and growing international demand.
TANZANIA – Tanzania has generated Tsh 69.1 billion (US$25.9M) from the export of 6,016.67 tonnes of honey between 2021 and 2024, averaging 1,504.17 tonnes per year.
Additionally, the country exported 2,410.81 tonnes of beeswax during the same period, earning Tsh 40 billion (US$15M) and averaging 602.71 tonnes annually.
According to Hussein Msuya, Assistant Commissioner of Beekeeping at the Tanzania Forestry Services (TFS), Tanzania produced 128,588 tonnes of honey and 7,615 tonnes of beeswax over the four-year period.
He credited the progress to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to revitalizing the beekeeping sector, supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, TFS, and key industry stakeholders.
Msuya emphasized that the growth of the beekeeping sector is integral to Tanzania’s broader strategy to stimulate the domestic economy and increase foreign exchange through exports.
Major international markets for Tanzanian bee products include Germany, Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, Ireland, Albania, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Oman, China, Czech Republic, Poland, Kosovo, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, and Comoros.
Between 2021 and 2024, annual honey production rose from 31,179 tonnes to 33,276 tonnes, marking an increase of 2,097 tonnes.
Beeswax production also grew from 1,894 tonnes to 1,913 tonnes over the same period, attributed to advancements in beekeeping practices, adoption of improved technology, and the implementation of supportive policies.
Tanzanian honey has gained international recognition for its quality. In 2023, honey from the Tabora region won second place in a continental honey competition held in South Africa.
Beekeeping in Tanzania provides employment for over two million people and contributes up to 33 percent of household income in forested regions.
Despite this, only 22 percent of the country’s estimated annual production capacity—138,000 tonnes of honey and 9,200 tonnes of beeswax—is currently utilized.
In November 2024, SWAHILI Honey marked a milestone by exporting its first 20-ton shipment of organic honey to Japan.
To support further growth, the government launched a new honey trademark in October 2024 to enhance quality assurance and international competitiveness.
The trademark initiative includes a traceability system and offers certified companies benefits such as priority access to trade fairs, increased online visibility, and use of the trademark for promotional purposes, reinforcing Tanzania’s commitment to quality and market expansion.
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