Myanmar ships over 1,500 tonnes of honey worth $2.3 mln in past 11 months

Myanmar exported 1,541.08 tonnes of honey worth over US$2.311 million to external markets as of end-February in the 2022-2023 financial year be­ginning in April, according to the Apiculture Division under the Livestock Breeding and Veteri­nary Department.

Myanmar exported 1,527.74 tonnes to foreign markets by sea and 13.34 tonnes via land borders.

Honey is commonly con­sumed for its medicinal value in the country. It is also shipped to foreign countries.

Myanmar delivered honey to the Republic of Korea, Japan, the US, China, Thailand and Sin­gapore. Japan is the main buyer of Myanmar’s honey.

There are some state-owned beekeeping stations with 6,200 beehives and about 820 private beekeeping businesses operat­ing with nearly 200,000 beehives. Apiculture and honey production businesses are primarily found in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway regions and Shan State.

Moreover, 2 million acres of crops yearly contribute to bee pollination every year. This year, 11 per cent of sunflower acre­ages are designated for pollen sources.

Additionally, beekeeping businesses near the crop fields contribute to the successful yield of the crop as well as quality bee production.

Myanmar annually produc­es about 7,000 tonnes of honey, with a production capacity of 70 pounds per beehive. Approx­imately 2,600 tonnes of honey are shipped to foreign markets every year. Myanmar’s honey is priced at $1,600 per tonne.

Myanmar produces jujube honey, niger honey, sunflower honey and flower honey. — NN/ EM