Exports of natural honey from the country plunged by over 98 per cent in the last fiscal year, due to lack of quality certificate, which ascertains that the product is safe for consumption.

Although the product is listed in Nepal Trade Integration Strategy 2010—which means it is receiving government support for export promotion—the country was able to export honey worth only Rs 21,000 in the fiscal 2012-13, as against Rs 1.8 million in 2011-12. This marked a drop of 98.8 per cent.

According to the exporters, the main reason behind sharp decline in exports is lack of proper quality certificate, which proves that the natural honey sent abroad is safe for consumption.

Natural honey produced here, especially in the country's far western region, holds a great potential for exports in the international niche markets and can be sold at relatively higher prices. But quality certification is necessary for importers, especially in the European Union, which has stringent regulations relating to the production and trade of honey.

In this regard, the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has sent a Residue Monitoring Plan to the European Commission for approval.

Current ly, only 40 non-EU countries are eligible to export honey to the EU.

According to a Micro-Enterprises Development Programme report, Nepal produces 10,000 tonnes of honey annually and farmers here have installed an estimated 125,000 beehives.

National programme manager at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies Buddhi Prasad Upadhyaya said there was high demand for natural honey in the international market but the amount of natural honey that the country produces is not able to fulfill international market's demand.

"We need to make people aware about the demand for natural honey and encourage those engaged in honey farming to increase production," said Upadhyaya.

During fiscal 2010-11, the country exported over 40,000 kg of honey, which declined to around 8,500 kg in 2011-12. The amount further declined to 38 kg last fiscal.

Source: THT