MYANMAR’S honey export amounted to over US$1.25 million in the past eight months (April-November) of the current financial year 2025-2026 beginning 1 April, according to the Apiculture Division under the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.

Myanmar sent over 836.95 metric tonnes of honey to foreign countries by sea, and delivered over 1.29 metric tonnes of honey to neighbouring countries through border checkpoints in the past eight months, totalling 838.24 metric tonnes, the Apiculture Division’s data indicated.

Myanmar primarily exports honey to China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand. The country shipped over 2,200 tonnes to international markets in the 2023- 2024 FY, the Apiculture Division’s statistics showed.

Sagaing and Mandalay regions are the leading producers of Myanmar’s honey. Myanmar’s beekeeping businesses are also found in Yangon, Bago and Magway regions, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin and Shan states. Myanmar produces sesame honey, jujube honey, Niger honey, sunflower honey, lychee honey and flower honey. Myanmar’s honey production is estimated at over 4,000 metric tonnes annually. Sixty per cent went to foreign markets while the remaining was designated for domestic consumption. Honey is utilized as a traditional medicine in the country.

There are some state-owned beekeeping stations with 6,200 beehives in 31 townships and over 950 private beekeeping businesses operating with nearly 200,000 beehives.

Moreover, two million acres of crops yearly contribute to bee pollination annually. The beekeeping businesses near the crop fields contribute to the successful yield of the crop as well as quality bee production. — NN/KK