UNIDO strengthens honey value chain for greater market access

UNIDO launched the Global Market Access Programme (GMAP) in Ethiopia with a view to ensuring compliance with international standards, improving honey products quality, facilitating business linkages, and sustaining project results throughout the honey value chain.

Jimma is one of the towns in Oromia that witnessed substantial progress following the introduction of the program. Mr. Yusuf Sharo, Administrator of Jimma Zone, pointed out that remarkable growth of honey production and export has been achieved in Jimma. 

"Honey production has been jumped up from 15 tons in 2023 to an astounding 90 tons in the first two quarters of 2024, a testament to the boundless potential of our area."

In April 2024, three processors and beekeepers’ community in Gera woreda (Jimma zone) signed business agreements export nearly 90 tons of quality honey and beeswax to the international market.

The Business Agreements signing ceremony marked a pivotal moment in the project's implementation journey, underscoring the tangible outcomes of collaborative efforts. The signing ceremony was also accompanied by handing-over of beekeepers’ accessories to farmers.

H.E. Dr. Fikru Regassa, State Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, and H.E. Mr. Endalew Mekonen, State Minister, Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, who attended the signing cand handing-over ceremony expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, including UNIDO for their dedication and collaboration. 

“The GMAP Ethiopia project is actively collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade to promote a sustainable honey-producing industry. The project has been launched at the right time and is aligned with the government's overarching objectives, prioritizing environmentally responsible practices that benefit both communities and the environment” remarked H.E. Dr. Fikru Regassa.

The GMAP in Ethiopia aims at ensuring compliance with international standards, improving honey products quality, facilitating business linkages, and sustaining project results throughout the honey value chain. Over the past six months, the project has achieved remarkable milestones.

H.E. Ms. Aurelia Patrizia Calabrò, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Representative and Director of the UNIDO Regional Office Hub in Ethiopia, on her part, expressed her enthusiasm for the project's progress, stating, "The Global Market Access Programme in Ethiopia is a great example of the impactful collaboration between UNIDO and local stakeholders. We are very happy to witness these positive transformations within the honey value chain, paving the way for sustainable economic growth and enhanced market access”. She also thanked the donor Norad (Norway) for its generous contribution in favour of the Ethiopian honey value chain development.