Observer Report Beijing
Certificated Pakistani honey could triple its value, enhancing its export to other countries, says a report published by China Economic Net (CEN) on Tuesday.
The report quoting Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) stated that their honey is sold for merely USD 20 or USD 25 per kilogram, but the price can rise to USD 100 per kilogram when it is packaged at other countries.
The situation could improve if we establish labs and certification systems and implement management and supervision policies.
He expressed the urgency of upgrading the Pakistani honey industry. Meanwhile, the report says, China’s honey-producing companies are willing to provide honey production and processing technology to Pakistan,
according to Li Dingshun, Chairman of Beijing Aojinda Bee Products Cooperative.This technology is very mature and is recognized by our customers.” he added.
The honey processing technology is said to feature the honey raw material processing, including honey filtration, sterilization, and temperature control.
Li Dingshun illusterated that the honey collected by bees is full in the hive, but it is high in moisture.
So we remove the moisture by a honey dryer, in which the honey is put on the upper chamber and the empty container on the lower chamber. China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of honey, he added.
In addition, China also has a demand for bee product imports such as propolis. “China’s propolis production is too low to satisfy the domestic market demand.
We have to export propolis from Brazil, Turkey, and Iran each year. If Pakistan’s beekeeping industry can develop rapidly with government support, the raw materials of Pakistani propolis will be very attractive to the Chinese market in the future.” commented Yang Rong, president of the China Bee Products Association.
“Due to quarantine, the Pakistani honey has to undergo OEM service in Arab countries before exported to Europe and the US.” said Zohaib, a Pakistani honey distributor.
According to the National Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan exported 6.351 million US dollars of natural honey from July to November 2020, most of which were exported to Saudi Arabia, reaching 4.275 million tons and accounting for 67% of Pakistan’s total honey exports.
