India's honey industry sees sweet success as health-conscious consumers drive demand and exports soar

Synopsis:-

The article discusses the growth and potential of the honey industry in India, highlighting factors such as the post-pandemic impact, health-conscious customers, and improved supply integration. It notes that while India is among the top honey producers globally, most of its honey is exported, with only 50% consumed locally.

Opportunities abound for the Indian bee grower as the health-conscious Indian saw fast switches from sugar to honey. The current value of the honey business is Rs 3,000 crore. Every year, India makes about 1,33,200 metric tonnes of honey. According to Deepak Jolly, Secretary General of the India Honey Alliance, the market for honey in India is expanding quickly. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been focusing on increasing exports by ensuring quality production and market expansion to newer countries to maximize the export potential of honey in line with PM Modi had a vision of a "Sweet Revolution" through the promotion of beekeeping and allied activities.2020 will see a global shipment of 736,266.02 MT of honey. India produces the eighth and ninth most honey in the globe.2019 saw a global output of 1721 thousand metric tonnes of honey. This encompasses all types of nectar-producing plants, forest trees, wild and agricultural blooms, and honey. China, Turkey, Canada, Argentina, Iran, and the United States are a few of the main producers of honey, making up 50% of global production.

The main manufacturing hubs for natural honey in the nation are the North East Region and Maharashtra. The majority of the honey produced in India is exported to other countries; only about 50% is consumed locally. Exports of honey have also increased because of the fact that it is a better alternative to sugar as well as immunity booster all thanks to covid effect. The recent years have been "extra sweet" for Indians who are in the honey export industry. Natural honey exports from India have increased in line with global market consumption growth, making this unpretentious food item an obvious treat for Indian exporters. Previously regarded as a luxury good, honey is now sold all over the globe. Customers view natural honey as an all-natural sweetener and are prepared to spend more on high-quality products. They are starting to comprehend how laborious it is to transport honey from the field to the plate. The advantages that honey has for your health are now better known to consumers. As a result, demand for the product, particularly in developed countries, is expected to increase shortly.

Reasons of Growth in India's honey export business

• Post-pandemic impact
• Health-conscious customers
• Improved supply integration
• Good quality Indian honey at an affordable price
• Established direct connections between the companies and beekeepers.
• Improved export policies from the government's side.

In addition to this, there has been a growing awareness among consumers of the health benefits of honey, which has led to increased demand for this product both domestically and globally. This has also been driven by improved supply integration, which has made it easier for honey producers to reach customers directly and offer high-quality products at an affordable price.

The Indian government has also played a key role in boosting the honey industry, with initiatives like the "Sweet Revolution" promoting beekeeping and allied activities. This has helped to establish direct connections between companies and beekeepers and has also led to improved export policies that have made it easier for Indian honey producers to reach customers in new markets.

Ways forward

For the advantages to reach the Indian farmers and beekeepers, the industry's incentives must first be increased. As a buffer against globally low prices, the government should secondly boost export incentives and offer subsidies. Additionally, it will give us a market edge and boost our revenue, enabling us to pass along these advantages to the beekeepers. we need to understand that this sweet revolutionized sector has immense unexplored opportunities which once considered can directly contribute to India's gross development products.