Africa-Press – Angola. The volume of 900 tonnes/year of honey produced in Angola, if sold on the national market, at an average price of 4,000 kwanzas per kilogram, generates an estimated revenue of 3.6 billion kwanzas (US$8.1 million).
This same amount in the European market, where the cost per kilo is 2.23, represents a revenue of just over 2.0 million euros (875.2 million kwanzas).
If shipped to the United States and Asia, whose price is around US$5.8, it will be worth at least US$5.2 million (2.2 billion kwanzas).
A recent study carried out by specialists linked to the support bodies of the European Parliament estimated the value of honey produced in Angola at US$2.7 million per year on the international market.
This business generates over 9 billion dollars a year in revenue worldwide.
However, production constraints prevent the country from selling honey in the world’s main markets, which still worries producers.
Production Entry
According to Adelino Muxito, a specialist in international economics, “the global honey market is extremely demanding and observes the entire production process under a magnifying glass”, a detail that, according to him, has been the main obstacle to national production.
“In order to be successful in exports, it is also important to observe market trends and demands. In the marketing of honey, consumers have been increasingly concerned with the origin of the products and are looking for organic, natural foods whose production process respects the highest quality standards. Angolan beekeepers must take these aspects into account to reach the international market”, he argued in statements to this newspaper.
Angola was one of the biggest honey producers in the world in the 1950s. But over the years, national production has remained traditional and artisanal and has lagged behind as beekeepers in other countries have switched to modern techniques.
Dependence on traditional honey production techniques is an obstacle for local producers to obtain international certification, a fundamental element in the export process.
About 19 years ago, businessman Max Vicente, in the province of Huambo, created Angola Networking, a company focused on renewable energies. The constraints in importing raw material for the activity, led the entrepreneur to redirect his business strategy and chose to also bet on agribusiness. It was in this context that “Maxmel” emerged, a project linked to the production and marketing of honey.
“Every year, Maxmel’s sales increase, because there is a lot of demand for honey at the national level. But the production capacity remains tiny, about two tons of honey per year, in an area of 25 hectares”, recalls the investor.
Max Vicente seeks to increase its organic and natural honey business “Maxmel” in the province of Huambo, in the heart of Angola. Maxmel produces two tons of honey a year, which are sold entirely in Angola, but the businessman liked to explore export opportunities.
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