EXPORT promotion agency, ZimTrade, has facilitated a productive ZimBEE Project, a national apiculture development initiative aimed at positioning Zimbabwe as a reliable supplier of high-quality, export-ready honey for premium markets such as the European Union.
The project was showcased at the 49th Apimonda Congress recently through a delegation co-ordinated by ZimTrade and ZimBEE.
In its update, ZimTrade said feedback from buyers and technical experts validated the project’s strong foundation while highlighting the need for further investment in critical areas.
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The ZimBEE Project is a national apiculture development initiative implemented through ZimTrade to build a stronger, commercially-viable honey and bee-product sector in Zimbabwe.
“Meetings with buyers and technical experts confirmed that the ZimBEE Project has a strong base to build on, although further investment is still required in key areas,” ZimTrade said.
The project empowers rural beekeepers with training, modern hives and technical guidance to enhance production and handling standards, while implementing robust systems for traceability and contamination control to meet international requirements.
“Strengthening these areas will help to stabilise supply, improve product consistency and ensure beekeepers are paid fairly for high-grade honey,” ZimTrade said.
Meanwhile, the congress provided a platform for Zimbabwe to engage directly with buyers, technical specialists and industry leaders, aligning local efforts with international expectations.
Buyers at the event indicated that they are actively seeking producers that can demonstrate purity and traceability, saying Zimbabwe’s organised approach to apiculture placed it in a favourable position.
However, technical discussions highlighted the need for Zimbabwe to adopt hive types that match global processing equipment.
As a result, the country will pilot Langstroth units to increase volumes and ensure compatibility with international processing standards.
“Work is underway to introduce export-ready hive models that are more efficient and easy to manage,” ZimTrade said.
With a national bee-breeding programme and consultations on profiling Zimbabwean honey underway, the country is poised to establish itself as a major player in the global honey industry.
“This is expected to help to reduce market entry barriers and position the country more strongly among premium producers,” ZimTrade said. -newsda
