Challenges of Ethiopian Honey Export across the Honey Value Chain and Trends of Ethiopian Honey Production and Export
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Date
2019-12
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A.A.U.
Abstract
The study was conducted to identify the challenges of Ethiopian honey export across the honey value chain and to establish trends of the Ethiopian honey production, honey export volume and honey export value. In the study a descriptive research type was adopted and the sampling technique used was non-probability- purposive sampling technique. A sample size of 10 Ethiopian honey exporting firms was used. The data collection method used was a questionnaire method and descriptive analysis was applied to analyze the data. The study examined the input supply function, production function and domestic honey marketing function of the honey value chain and has identified the honey export challenges prevailing at the function levels. At the input supply function level, inadequate supply of improved beekeeping equipment is the challenge identified. At the production function level, low honey production and productivity, inadequate use of improved beekeeping equipment, low quality honey, drought, and seasonality of honey production and poor honey harvesting method are the identified challenges. At the domestic honey marketing function level, poor market infrastructure, lack of organized market, lack of legality, adulteration and smuggling are identified. The findings indicate that these market problems led to inadequate supply and quality of honey for export, high domestic honey price and less competitiveness in the global honey market. The study has also examined support functions in the chain. Absence of mandatory honey standard and lack of internationally accredited laboratory in Ethiopia, weak regulation, absence of permanent vertical and horizontal linkage platforms for chain actors, poor extension and inadequate financial credit services are identified as challenges. The analysis of the secondary data showed that the trend of Ethiopian annual honey production showed an annual average rate of growth of 1% during 2011-2018. The trends of the Ethiopian honey export volume and honey export value showed an annual average rates of decline of 57% and 52% respectively during the same period. The findings of the study revealed that the Ethiopian honey export challenges are wide ranging and interlinked and need to be addressed holistically. The study recommends promotion of export oriented honey production, strengthening beekeeping input production and supply, adoption of export oriented beekeeping extension package and establishment of honey belt areas to enhance the Ethiopian honey export. The study also recommends, Ethiopia to have mandatory honey standard, strengthen existing regulation and bridge regulation gaps, strong beekeeping extension and financial credit services and establishment of permanent horizontal and vertical linkage platforms for honey value chain actors.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa
University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Business Administration
Keywords
Beekeeping, Export oriented honey production, Honey value chain, Honey export challenges