Golden opportunity for Vietnam honey exports
(VOV) - The US and Asia are offering an ever-expanding market and sweet opportunity for Vietnam honey exporters.
Vietnamese honey is sold in these markets as a premium product, retailing at pharmacies, high-end supermarkets and department stores.
“Vietnam currently ranks the sixth largest honey exporter in the world and second in Asia, after China,” said Bui Quang Hung a trade official.
Last year, the country exported more than 46,600 tonnes of honey with revenue exceeding US$120 million, Hung reported, adding that 90% of the volume was exported to the US with shipments to the EU on the uptick.
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“Local producers shipped more than 80 tonnes of honey to the EU in the first quarter of this year alone, with more exporters targeting the lucrative market.”
US buyers in particular enjoy the different flavours of Vietnamese honey, as well as the health benefits.
Though the US market has great potential, they warn that businesses should never put all their eggs in one basket. It’s best to spread sales around in several markets.
Local beekeepers and suppliers also have to be aware that it’s important to protect their reputation and know that this is particularly important for honey, with border testing having been stepped up.
This comes on the heels of discoveries of honey highly contaminated with cheap sweeteners and with lead or antibiotics from a number of businesses in unscrupulous countries.