Investment in Beekeeping

Beekeeping in Tanzania is a forest-based activity where the majority of beekeepers carry out beekeeping in protected areas and general land. It plays a major role in socio-economic development and environmental conservation, currently generating about US$ 1.7 million per year from sales of honey and beeswax. The government attracts beekeeping investment in forest and bee reserves to utilize untapped potential of the existing resources.

Investment in Production of Bee products

Currently honey is the only bee product that is produced in large amount. While that is the case, other bee products neither are not produced in large quantities nor produced at all. Tanzania has a rich variety of floral resources, which makes it ideal for honey production, beeswax and other bee products such as, propolis, bee-venom, pollen and royal jelly which are yet to be tapped. Investing in production of bee products involves establishment of bee farms, bee reserves and apiaries in protected areas. Potential of honey production is about 52,000 tons while the actual collection is less than 32,000 tons annually. Such investment can be viable in Singida, Tabora, Mbeya, Shinyanga, Katavi, Tanga, Kigoma, Manyara, Rukwa and Geita.

Beekeeping processing and packaging plants 

Tanzania has few bee products processing and packaging industries. Honey and other bee products are often sold without being processed due to lack of enough processing plants with modern techniques. The plant will enable product diversification and value-added products to be produced including honey wine, beeswax candles, and ointments, flavored honey wine and medicinal products, which can command higher prices in international market as well as local market. Proper investment on this will ensure quality control certification and attain international standards that will be competitive in global market, fetching higher returns for both investor and the country at large.

Invest in the Production and supply of Beekeeping equipment/tools

There is a growing demand for beekeeping equipment and supplies due to increase of honey production. Investment in this area can be done in equipment for production, harvesting and processing of bee products such as beehives, protective gears, smokers, hive tools and extractors. This will provide better management and higher honey yields. Areas where investors can focus upon include Sao Hill - Iringa, Manyoni - Singida, Tabora, Kondoa – Dodoma, Katavi and Dar es Salaam.