Tabora, whose honey is highly praised in Tanzania, is now exporting the sweet syrup to overseas markets.
Beekeeping venture in Tanzania seems to be getting even sweeter, as the popular organic honey from Tabora Region secures promising markets in overseas destinations like Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia.
Dodoma, on the other hand, is already starting to send honey to the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile the International Bee Company (IBC) the giant honey churning firm of Tabora, reports to be shipping out at least 12 tons of organic honey to Albania and Kosovo in southern Europe, as well as in North Macedonia and Serbia.
Tabora honey which trades under ‘Jambo Asali’ has sealed a deal with the world’s reputable food company, RR NTS BESI, for the exportation of 150 tons of honey per year.
Musiba Kitema, the director of Tanzania International Bee Company reveals that the achievements can be credited to the establishment of Digital Traceability System (DTS) which assists the foreign companies to trace the whole stages involved in the honey production and value chain through special code.
Kitema said the cloud- connected system is providing a technical opportunity for the foreign honey importing companies to be assured over the quality of the locally produced honey.
He emphasized the need to add value to the raw honey produced in the country through proper processing and packaging.
Kitema pointed out that at the moment the foreign importer buys a kilogram of organic raw honey at between USD 4. However after processing, the same measure of honey can fetch up to USD 60 which is more than ten-times the amount.
International Bee Company after processing the honey, will market the same using a local trademark.
Tanzanian branding, according to Kitema, helps to keep the name in order to market Tanzania’s honey products globally.
“In the past we used to export honey to the Netherlands where it was again re-packaged under the brand name of ‘Kilimanjaro Honey’ now the consignment which we are sending to Southern Europe will be sold under the trademark of ‘Tabora Honey.’
Tanzania International Bee Company works with over 200 beekeepers in Katavi, Tabora and Kigoma who supply the firm with quality organic honey to keep the stock full.
Together with the Tanzania Beekeeping Development Organization (TABEDO), the firm is assisting local producers to come up with quality honey which meets international standards.