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China-Africa Trade Information Service
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Beekeeping, as a long-established economic activity in Tanzania, has contributed to the national economy, generating approximately $ 19 million annually, employing more than one million annually, and employing more than two million people. The beekeeping industry produces food and medicine, has made significant contributions to biodiversity, and has encouraged agricultural production through pollination. In addition, more than 50% of Tanzania is covered by forests suitable for beekeeping.
Beekeeping in Tanzania is carried out using traditional methods that account for 99% of the total production of honey and beeswax in the country. Approximately 95% of all hives are traditional including log and bark hives.Others are reeds,gourds,pots etc.
DODOMA, Tabora and Singida regions lead others in the country in producing, packaging and exporting honey to over 20 countries in the world, according to Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TFS).
TFS Beekeeping Officer Frida Kundy said recently that TFS continued providing education on people so that honey produced in the country maintained its high quality.
According to her, among the countries producing the product, Tanzania's honey has the highest market especially in Germany, England, Belgium, France and Italy.
Others are Norway, Kenya, Uganda, Oman, Rwanda, Dubai, Japan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iran and the US.
The beekeeping noted that generally the market for honey locally and internationally was superb, adding that currently, the country eyed the Chinese market.
Apart from Tabora, Dodoma and Singida regions, Ms Kundy named other regions producing honey as Mbeya, Rukwa, Katavi, Iringa, Kigoma and Shinyanga.
She also said there was equally production of honeycomb which was also exported and TFS intensified its training programmes to all beekeeping stakeholders, hinting that about 225 people from different groups had benefited from training.