According to preliminary results of 2009 the export of honey has increased more than 50% in Ukraine. In 2008 export of honey increased by 47%. First of all, experts connect this growth with the Ukraine entry to a free trade zone. So far, the volume of honey production ranged from 50 to 70 thousand tons per year. Valery Brovarskyi, the Head of the Beekeeping Department of Nestervodskogo National University of bio-resources and environmental management in Ukraine explains: “The thing is that every year a livestock of bees is increasing in Ukraine. We used to have three million bee colonies, but later there were already 3 million 750 thousand. It means, we have left Russia behind and there is no country in Europe, which would be our competitor.”

Ukraine is the leader in honey production

Ukraine is among the five biggest honey producers of the world in terms of gross volume of production as well as honey consumption per capita. The largest volume of production is sunflower honey. It takes about 50% of the total honey production in Ukraine. Buckwheat and Acacia honey occupy about 12.10% of the volume. There are about 30 varieties of honey produced in Ukraine. The country aproximately exports 83% of honey to Europe. First of all it is Germany and Poland (approx. 50%), Luxembourg (14,5%) and Russia (9,5%). Honey is one of the few Ukrainian products, which are recognized in Europe and quite popular over there.

However, consumption of honey in Ukraine is poor. Manufacturers find it difficult to name the reason. Mostly small private companies are engaged in beekeeping. According to unofficial data, there are only about 500 beekeeping enterprises in Ukraine.

Who competes Ukraine?

The world’s largest honey producer is China. They produce about 255 thousand tons of honey per year. However, the consumption of this product per capita in the country is small and makes 100 grams per year. But China is a leading honey exporter (over 100 thousand tons per year). Chinese honey, as well as all related bee products (pollen, royal jelly, etc.) are the cheapest in the world: even in Ukraine Chinese honey is sold for a dollar per kilogram. Ukrainian beekeepers are of a low opinion of it. Chinese honey is imported mainly for technical purposes: for use in confectionery, perfumery and pharmaceutical industries.

United States are the second largest producer of honey in the world (84 thousand tons). Besides, the country imports about 66 thousand tons, and consumption per capita makes half a kilogram per year, same as in the UK and France.

Fans of honey

Ukrainian honey takes one of the leading positions abroad because of its taste.

The largest honey consumption per capita is in Australia (1.6 kg per year), in Greece (1,4) and in Germany (1,1 kg). Thus Germany, like other European countries, mainly imports honey (up to 83% of total consumption). Japan imports about 93% of honey.

Not only tasty, but also beneficial

Analysts say that honey production is a profitable business. Domestic entrepreneurs who are engaged in beekeeping, get nearly 100% profit. But it applies to medium sized apiaries, in which there are more than 60 bee families. In this case, it could take only few years to recoup such a business. In addition, it is a great pleasure for some people. There are fans of beekeeping among famous people: the current President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko, deputy Sergei Terekhin, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and the world’s richest man Bill Gates.

Ukraine is one step away from the status of "Number one honey-country in the world", 3.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating

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