Tanzania and China have today signed a protocol for exporting Tanzanian honey to China. The Tanzanian government has urged citizens to seize the opportunity to produce high-quality honey in large quantities to boost their incomes and the national economy. China, with a population of over 1.4 billion, imports more than 38 million tons of honey annually.
The signing ceremony took place in Dar es Salaam, August 15, 2024, with Tanzanian Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr. Dastan Kitandula, representing Tanzania, and Yu Jianhua, Minister and Secretary of the CPC Committee of China Customs, representing China.
In a press statement following the signing, Mr. Kitandula noted that the agreement removes previous barriers and addresses Tanzanian traders' needs to access the Chinese market. He added that entering the Chinese honey market comes with specific requirements outlined in the protocol.
“One of the requirements for traders wishing to export honey to China, as well as the European Union and the United States, is to ensure their companies are registered with international food safety, plant health, and environmental protection systems,” he emphasized.
Mr. Kitandula explained that registration is done digitally through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism via the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), which provides a dedicated desk to assist traders with registration and encourages those yet to register to do so.
Regarding government support for honey traders, Mr. Kitandula mentioned that the government has created a favorable environment by offering VAT exemptions on beekeeping equipment and machinery and adding value to honey products.
Additionally, the government has established six honey processing factories in Kibondo, Sikonge, Mlele, Nzega, and Bukombe districts to ensure that exported honey meets market standards.
Tanzania has the capacity to produce approximately 138,000 tons of honey annually but currently produces around 33,276 tons, representing 24.1% of its potential. This positions Tanzania as a leading honey producer in East Africa and SADC, the second-largest in Africa, and the 14th globally.
This highlights the significant role of the beekeeping sector in Tanzania's economy and its potential for further growth, contributing more to national income and employment opportunities.
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