Myanmar earned almost US$1 million from export of over 664.8 metric tonnes of honey in the first four months of the current financial year 2024- 2025, beginning 1 April, according to the Apiculture Division under the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.
The seaborne honey export hit 637.82 tonnes, while the border posts registered 27 tonnes of honey exports in the past four months.
Myanmar primarily exports honey to China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the US and Singapore. Myanmar delivered over 2,200 metric tonnes of honey to foreign trade partners in the last FY 2023-2024 (April-March), the Apiculture Division’s data showed.
Sagaing and Mandalay regions are the leading producers of Myanmar’s honey. Myanmar’s beekeeping businesses are also found in the Yangon, Bago, and Magway regions, as well as the Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, and Shan states. Myanmar produces sesame honey, jujube honey, Niger honey, sunflower honey, lychee honey and flower honey.
Myanmar’s honey production is estimated at over 4,000 metric tonnes annually. Sixty per cent went to foreign markets, while the remaining was designated for domestic consumption. Honey is utilized as a traditional medicine in the country.
There are some state-owned beekeeping stations with 6,200 beehives in 31 townships and over 950 private beekeeping businesses operating with nearly 200,000 beehives.
Moreover, two million acres of crops yearly contribute to bee pollination every year. The beekeeping businesses near the crop fields contribute to the successful yield of the crop as well as quality honey production. — NN/KK
