Ministry of Commerce And Supplies - Enhanced Integrated ...

N T I S2010like China and Australia, which are becoming a serious threat to export of Nepali honey to India. This isparticularly the case as the production technology and packaging of honey in these countries are superior.China is by far the largest honey producing nation in the world, followed by the USA, Argentina, Turkey, andMexico. Other notable producers are Brazil, Canada, Australia, France, Spain, and Hungary.World Market Prospect: Though there has been an upward trend in world imports of honey, there is anincreased competition from China, which is now even entering the Indian market. Preferential tariffs, whichNepal is currently not using, will partially erode in the future.Index 3: Domestic Supply ConditionsProducers: Honey is produced by a large number of beekeepers/farmers scattered all over Nepal. Marketingfunctions of the processors-wholesalers-exporters are integrated into a family business, most of them locatedin Kathmandu valley. Few traders are involved in export. The domestic market can be characterized as a‘buyers’ market’ with little bargaining power with the producers. In response, the beekeepers/producers inmajor producing districts are organizing themselves in association or cooperatives for marketing their honey.Production Capacity: Nepal produced about 1,000 MT of honey in the year 2007/08. The total production hasbeen increasing over the last years. The major honey producing districts of Nepal are Chitwan, Nawalparasi,Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Dang, Sarlahi, Sunsari, Mahotari, Makwanpur, Banke, Bardia, and Kanchanpur. Similarly,the prominent areas for A. laboriosa or Bhir Mauri production are Ghachowk, Ghandruk, and Landruk of Kaskidistrict, Lumle of Sunsari district, and Sumsher Bhir of Lamjung district. There are more than 150 bhirs inGhachowk area alone.YearTable 2.10Honey Production in NepalDistribution ofBee Hives (No.)Production (MT)Yield Kg./Hive2001/02 126,884 529 4.172002./03 127,501 530 4.162003/04 130,000 577 4.442004/05 130,000 600 4.622005/06 NA 650 NA2006/07 NA 650 NA2007/08 NA 1,000 NAQuality of Product: Nepalese honey has a unique flavour and is produced all over Nepal. It is estimated thatalmost 60 per cent of the total honey produced comes from A. mellifera, 38 per cent from A. dorsata and only2 per cent from A. cerana. Different tests undertaken in Nepal and Denmark have confirmed that, exceptfor Hydroxy Methyl Furfural (HMF) content, which has been found to be slightly on the higher side, all otherparameters of Nepalese honey are within the acceptable level of quality/standard. The high content of HMF,however, is due to overheating and long storing duration.Productivity: The average annual productivity of A. cerana and A. melifera is estimated to be about 8-20 kg.and 40-60 kg. per hive respectively. The productivity of A.melifera seems to be on the lower side as comparedwith the productivity of major honey-producing countries.Availability and Quality of Labour Force: Labour is abundantly available. Many farmers have been trained inbeekeeping and processing of honey by government and donor projects.36NEPAL TRADE INTEGRATION STRATEGY 2010BACKGROUND REPORT