Approximately 4,000 tonnes of Myanmar’s honey is conveyed to foreign trade partners every year. The natural resources in developing countries are favourable for the production of organic honey. Myanmar’s small-scale beekeepers and beekeeping businesses under the Apiculture Division under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation yearly produces over 6,000 tonnes of honey, with 2,000 for domestic consumption and 4,000 for the external market. The department is arranging 1.5 million acres of crops for the bees to be pollinated.
“Myanmar has regular trade partner countries. Expansion of business is required to increase foreign income. Sagaing Region is the main producer of honey. Mon State also started engaging in honey production as well. Advanced beekeeping techniques should be adopted for higher honey production in the private sector as it could effectuate the development of the rural community,” said U Kyaw Kyaw Oo, in charge of the Apiculture Division under the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department. The beekeeping business commenced in 1979 in Myanmar and Myanmar’s honey penetrated the foreign market in 1985.
It is commonly delivered to Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. Sunflower honey, palm honey and sesame flower honey are preferred in the market. Of them, sunflower honey is highly demanded in the international market. China is the biggest exporter of honey in the world and Viet Nam, Myanmar and Thailand are the largest producers among the regional countries. The agriculture sector is the backbone of Myanmar’s economy and the country is making efforts to boost honey production. The farmers practise beekeeping in the mixed farming system. Enzymes that are added to the nectar by bees helps break down complex sugar into simple sugar. Floral scent influences honey taste and colour.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar