THE volume of Tanzanian honey exports has increased by 67.85 per cent over the past year, reflecting continued growth in the beekeeping sector and rising competitiveness of the product in international markets.
According to the data presented in the National Assembly yesterday showed that honey exports increased from 951.6 tonnes in 2024 to 1,596.8 tonnes in 2025, while export earnings rose from 11.4bn/- to 19.2bn/-, equivalent to an increase of 68.4 per cent.
Presenting her ministry’s budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year in Dodoma, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, attributed the achievements to ongoing government efforts to strengthen the beekeeping sector, improve honey quality and expand access to foreign markets.
Dr Kijaji said one of the major achievements has been the successful implementation of a chemical residue monitoring system, enabling Tanzanian honey to maintain an average compliance rate of 97 per cent with European Union standards for three consecutive years.
According to the minister, the improved quality standards have helped open new export markets in the US, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, China and, for the first time, the UK.
She further said the government, under directives issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has started implementing a special programme dubbed “Achia Shoka, Tundika Mzinga” designed to promote environmental conservation and boost the beekeeping sector.
The 10-year programme, running from 2025 to 2035, seeks to increase annual honey production from 33,861 tonnes to 75,000 tonnes, while the share of honey exports is expected to rise from five per cent to 30 per cent.
Dr Kijaji said the programme is also projected to create 43,055 new jobs through beekeeping activities and value addition in bee products.
During the 2025/26 financial year, the government facilitated commercial beekeeping training for 236 groups involving 4,934 beekeepers countrywide and distributed 9,215 modern beehives to farmers.
The minister added that the government has started constructing a bee products value-addition factory in Kaliua District, while preparations are underway for the establishment of additional processing and packaging factories in Njombe, Urambo and Chato districts.
She said the government has conducted a nationwide study to identify challenges affecting low production of bee products, migration of bee colonies and areas suitable for beekeeping activities as part of efforts to strengthen the sector.
The study was carried out in 21 areas representing seven agro-ecological zones across the country. According to preliminary findings, modern beehives have recorded a performance rate of 73.1 per cent, indicating improved productivity in the beekeeping sector.
The Ministry also improved the Forestry and Beekeeping database by registering 912 new beekeepers and 65 groups, increasing the number of registered beekeepers from 9,323 to 10,235.