Export of honey from Serbia in first five months of 2018 higher by 6% - Commercial beekeeping on the rise

The export of honey in the first five months of 2018 was higher by 6% compared to the same period last year. A total of 852 tons of honey was exported, worth USD 4 million, and the biggest exporting markets are Norway and Italy, whereas the export to the USA and Macedonia increased multiple times.

As the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia says, the companies registered for the export of honey and honey products exported 2,538 tons of honey in the amount of USD 9.8 million last year, mostly to Italy, Norway and Germany. According to an estimate of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, there were 849,000 hives in Serbia in 2017, which is 43% more than in 2011 and 7% more than in 2016.

The number of hives in Serbia is expected to continue to grow, as increasingly more people become active in beekeeping. This year, the production of acacia and linden honey is better than last year, but the production of sunflower honey has dropped due to excessive raining.

The CCIS points out that honey from Serbia is of exceptional quality, and the export to large, demanding markets confirm the quality of this product. They also say that the honey is projected to be a big exporting opportunity for Serbia, as the entire country is suitable for the development of beekeeping.

– The main benefit in this industry is not just honey production, but also the pollination of plants. Global surveys have confirmed that, with the proper use of bees in pollination, along with other measures, the yields increase by 60 to 100% – the CCIS says.

The Group for Beekeeping and the Production of Honey has been active within the CCIS for a decade and a half. It brings together all the relevant business entities in this sector. Through a range of activities and initiatives, the group supports the enhancement of the development and the strengthening of local beekeeping. The preparation of the Program of Development of Commercial Beekeeping is in progress within the group, and it has also been proposed for the establishment of a beekeeping institute to be considered, as Serbia is the only country in the region which doesn't have one.

Privredna komora Srbije

Republički zavod za statistiku

CCIS

Group for Beekeeping and the Production of Honey at the CCIS

production of honey

export of honey from Serbia

acacia honey

linden honey

sunflower honey

pollination of plants

Program of Development of Commercial Beekeeping

beekeeping institute