Azeem Ahmed Khan

Several challenges have hindered the Pakistan’s honey sector’s growth from reaching its full potential despite longstanding production and export of various varieties, says agricultural consultant Umair Piracha.

Talking to WealthPK, he highlighted that Pakistan’s honey export potential remains constrained due to inefficiencies in the supply chain. He emphasised the need for significant improvements at every stage of the supply chain to support the industry’s growth.

The inconsistency in honey purity and quality continues to be a major obstacle preventing Pakistan from penetrating high-value international markets, he observed. Pakistan’s honey exports are largely limited to Middle Eastern markets due to the absence of food safety certifications and quality standards, he noted.

Piracha pointed out that leading honey importers, such as the European Union, the United States, and Japan, require compliance with Codex Alimentarius standards. These standards prohibit excessive heating or processing that alters the essential composition of honey. Moreover, high levels of contaminants, antibiotics, and residues in locally produced honey make it unacceptable to these premium buyers, he added.

To access new international markets, Piracha stressed the need to upgrade Pakistan’s honey testing laboratories to meet global standards. The country lacks internationally accredited testing facilities, making it difficult for exporters to secure compliance with Codex Alimentarius and other regulatory standards, he added.

Piracha recommended adopting advanced tools and equipment for beekeeping and honey extraction to enhance yield and quality. Utilising stainless steel extractors, food-grade storage tanks, filtering machines, honey extraction kits, and refractometers can significantly improve the extraction process, he added.

Since most beekeepers operate independently and lack formal training, Piracha urged the government to scale up training programmes. Research institutions should conduct capacity-building initiatives to educate beekeepers on modern techniques for bee management and honey harvesting, he suggested.

Piracha observed that by-products of honey are often wasted or sold at low prices due to a lack of awareness and training. He suggested that the National Agricultural Research Centre’s Honey Bee Research Institute, in collaboration with beekeepers and processors, focus on extracting and marketing by-products in accordance with international best practices.

He noted that limited involvement from food businesses, processors, distributors, and exporters has also stifled the industry’s growth. Piracha said that private sector participation could strengthen market linkages, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality honey to processing facilities.

He said that Pakistan should take inspiration from countries like China and Turkey, where the honey industry is well-organised and operates on a larger scale. He also suggested improving branding, packaging, and promotional efforts through government-led initiatives, including trade shows and support from embassies and commercial counselors.

Piracha advised Pakistan to further penetrate the Middle Eastern market with its high-quality Sidr honey, which is popular in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar due to its texture, colour, and resistance to crystallisation. Currently, about 80% of Pakistan’s honey exports are directed to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Piracha emphasised that there is substantial potential for Pakistan to expand its market share within the Middle East.

He said that Pakistani Sidr honey is comparable in quality to Germany’s Langnese honey but struggles to compete due to inconsistent quality and inadequate marketing. However, he added that declining Sidr honey production due to deforestation and erratic rainfall caused by climate change poses a challenge, too.

The agricultural consultant said most Pakistani honey exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE are sold in bulk packaging, which are later repackaged and branded by foreign companies. This practice reduces profit margins and prevents Pakistani exporters from establishing their own brand identity in international markets, he added.

Despite existing government efforts, more support is needed to unlock the full potential of Pakistan’s honey industry for expanding exports, he said. Pakistan must also explore new international markets and honey varieties, he concluded. 

Credit: INP-WealthPk