This archive report was first published on 1 July 2020.
Kenya's Untapped Honey Potential ¶
Published on July 1, 2020
Kenya's idle land holds a lucrative opportunity in honey production, with a global shortage and high demand. A kilogram of honey in Kenya costs between $6-$11 (Ksh. 500 – Ksh. 1,100), five times the price of a litre of petrol.
Savannah Honey, a Kenyan social enterprise, has been empowering interested beekeepers for seven years through training, equipment provision, apiary management, bee provision, technical support, and marketing. They have recruited over 4,000 farmers in East Africa and launched a new program targeting 7,000 more.
Kenya has a deficit in honey production, with over 80% of honey processed in the country being imported from Tanzania. However, the country has a potential for beekeeping, with favourable climatic conditions similar to those of leading honey producers in Africa.
“Bee-keeping in Kenya has been practiced traditionally for many years. However, only 20% of the country’s honey production potential (estimated at 100,000 metric tonnes) has been tapped” – Says Paul Kyalo, CEO of Savannah Honey.
According to Savannah Honey's market observations, the country lies within the best climatic pattern year-round, making it excellent for beekeeping. Farmers have downed tools from non-profitable crop cultivation and are looking for better and affordable ideas. Virgin tracts of land lie idle, flourishing with plenty of mature indigenous trees with class (A) nectar.
Investing with Savannah Honey offers a 6-year contract, training on modern beekeeping, provision of langstroth beehives and equipment, apiary management, bee provision, technical support, and marketing of the honey.
The Langstroth beehive uses a multi-layered structure and removable frames to encourage bees to build their hives in an orderly fashion and make it easy for beekeepers to harvest honey.
For more information, contact Savannah Honey today at +254 721965337 or visit www.savannahhoney.co.ke.
