Pakistan seeks to boost honey exports, certification with China’s help

LAHORE: The honey industry could triple its value and enhance its export potential if it establishes labs and certification systems with China's assistance, the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) said on Tuesday.

President PCJCCI Moazzam Ghurki said Pakistan's honey, which is cheaper and tastes better than New Zealand's, is sold for merely $20 or $25 per kg, but the price can rise to $100 per kg when it is packaged at other countries.

"Pakistani honey is cheaper and tastes better than New Zealand’s honey, but the latter’s certification has been recognized by 4 international companies. If we work to establish an internationally recognized modern laboratory, our honey will be among the best."

"The situation could improve if we establish labs and certification systems and implement management and supervision policies," he said during a think tank session held at PCJCCI Secretariat. He expressed the urgency of upgrading the Pakistani honey industry. Another way to upgrade Pakistan's honey industry is to establish large-scale honey processing plants, Ghurki said, adding that China has already adopted advanced filtration technology and packaging.

Fang Yulong, senior vice president PCJCCI, said China's honey-producing companies are willing to provide honey production and processing technology to Pakistan. "The honey processing technology is said to feature the honey raw material processing, including honey filtration, sterilization, and temperature control," he said.

Yulong also said that the honey collected by bees is full in the hive, but it is high in moisture, so it needs to be dried by a honey dryer. "China is the world's largest producer and exporter of honey. 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," he said.

Hamza Khalid, vice president PCJCCI, said Pakistan exported $6.351 million 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 percent of Pakistan's total honey exports.

He said the Pakistani industry has been unanimous in establishing a large-scale honey laboratory with an international certification for honey testing and certification. "Once our honey is certified, it can be exported to high-end markets such as Europe," Khalid said.

He added that China boasts a refined certification system and laboratory infrastructure, and Pakistan can establish joint ventures with Chinese companies to promote the implementation of Pakistani honey laboratories as soon as possible. "Our current honey production arrives at 20,000 tons and it could be even higher if the export certification is passed."