Tanzania to host honey, beeswax meet

Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has organized a first ever African exhibition for people engaged in honey and beeswax production in Tanzania and other African countries.
The event to be held late this year aims at helping the producers get reliable honey and beeswax market products in regional and global markets.
Beekeeping Planning Officer and Coordination- Tanzania Forest Service (TFS) Agency Hussein Msuya told The Guardian  that the exhibition will take place at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) from November 11 -16.
He called on Tanzanian beekeepers across the country including other African countries to use this opportunities to exhibit and promote what they have to obtain reliable market and increase export for honey and beeswax products.

“Beekeepers who will be ready to participate in exhibition stands will be available for hiring a minimum of 3x3 square metre,” he said.
One square metre will be charged $125 and minimum size of exhibition stand is nine (9) square metres.
He said: “Tanzanian beekeepers should use this opportunity to show what they have because right now honey produced in Tanzania is of high quality and pure at its source and has been fetching high price in domestic and global markets.”
According to Msuya, the event will be held during the international symposium on African Bees and Beekeeping 2014 to help people from different parts of the globe to witness what Tanzania and other African countries have to offer in the sub-sector.
“The main focus is to help our beekeepers access markets for their products, learn from their counterparts, increase honey exports and beeswax products as well as promote Tanzania," he said
The registration is currently open for people ready to participate, he added, noting that people can visit in their office to get proper information on how to participate.
He called on all exhibitors wishing attend to take with them sufficient promotional materials to be given to trade and general visitors, saying this would help them know more about Tanzania.
This would also help the exhibitors “promote the products they have, enter joint ventures and easily market Tanzania.
According to him, this aims at showcasing various players in Tanzanian beekeeping industry that includes bee products such as honey, pollen, brood and beeswax.

This is unique business platform for bee farmers, honey and honey product, processors, related equipment dealers, beehive producers, members of the business community, consumers and the general public.
 It is a place for promoting use of bee products, acquiring new technology, trade and investment discussions.

Highlighting on beekeeping-sub sector, he said right now the total forest area in Tanzania is estimated at 48.8 million hectares, which is ideal for beekeeping. Beekeeping is a forest-based activity where the majority of beekeepers carry out beekeeping in protected areas and general land.
 Only less than ten percent of beekeepers are carrying out beekeeping in agricultural lands. It is also rich in terms of bee species that produce honey, found in forests, tree holes and cavities. 

According to Msuya honey is a key ingredient in food and medicine and is also used in the production of variety of products such as beer and honey wine.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY