Myanmar conveyed 1,217.18 metric tons of honey worth over US$1.825 million to foreign trade partners in the past nine months (April-December) in the 2022-2023 financial year, according to the Apiculture Division under the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.
Myanmar exported 1,203.84 tonnes to foreign markets by sea and 13.34 tonnes via cross-border trade.
Myanmar delivered honey to the Republic of Korea, Japan, the US and Singapore by sea during the April-December period. The export volume stood at 918.48 tonnes worth $1,377,720 to Japan, 42.78 valued at $64,170 to the ROK, 40 worth $60,000 to the US, 182.48 worth $273,720 to Singapore and 33.44 worth $50,160 to China Taipei.
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, two million acres of crops yearly contribute to bee pollination every year. This year, 11 per cent of sunflower acreage 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 conveyed 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/ EMM