Tanzania organic honey producer Swahili Honey expands market with inaugural export to Japan
TANZANIA – SWAHILI Honey, a leading provider of premium honey in Tanzania and East Africa, has reached a significant milestone by exporting its first 20-ton shipment of organic honey to Japan.
The company’s CEO, Joseph Kadindula, expressed gratitude for the partnerships with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and companies like Nisshin Honey and Kawakami. These collaborations have advanced processing techniques and quality control, enabling the company to achieve organic certification and premium pricing.
Kadindula noted that higher incomes have improved beekeepers’ living standards, supported education, and enhanced farming investments, fostering community pride.
The company’s dedication to quality includes a traceability system linking each honey batch to its origin, promoting consumer trust and eco-friendly practices.
In addition to honey, Swahili Honey produces 500 tons of beeswax annually and explores other products like propolis and royal jelly.
Tanzania’s beekeeping sector is vital to the economy, employing nearly two million people and contributing up to 33 percent of household income in forested regions. However, only 22 percent of the potential 138,000 tons of honey and 9,200 tons of beeswax is utilized.
The Tanzanian government is keen to improve and expand the export market for its honey. On October 4, 2024, the government launched a new honey trademark as a guarantee of quality.
Companies can only use the new trademark by adhering to common standards that protect the sector’s reputation in international markets.
The creation of the Tanzania Honey Trademark elevates the visibility of Tanzanian bee products in competitive markets by adhering to strict standards.
Honey companies that acquire the trademark will gain access to exclusive benefits, including the right to display the trademark, priority access to trade fairs, and increased visibility through the official honey website.
A robust traceability system will also be put in place to build consumer trust and verify product quality.
The trademark launch is a collaborative effort between the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Tanzanian Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), the Belgian Development Agency (ENABEL), and local producers.
ReportLinker projects Tanzanian honey production to reach 33 thousand metric tons by 2026, rising by 0.6% year on year. This marks an increase of 0.8% since 1966, when the country ranked 14th in this category, with Hungary overtaking in 2021 with 31 thousand metric tons.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s consumption of honey is forecasted to drop slightly to 27 thousand metric tons by 2026, following a 0.9% decrease in demand between 2021 and 2026.
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