By Segun Adeyanju
Ethiopia’s honey industry has recorded a major export breakthrough after a United Nations-backed programme helped smallholder beekeepers improve product quality, access international markets and significantly increase exports.
The transformation is being driven by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through its Global Market Access Programme (GMAP) Ethiopia, which focuses on strengthening quality standards, technical skills and market linkages across the honey value chain.
A key milestone came in April 2024 when producers, processors and community leaders signed an agreement in Jimma to export 90 tonnes of honey and beeswax to international markets.
Since then, Ethiopia’s honey exports have grown steadily, from 15 tonnes in 2023 to a combined 216 tonnes exported between 2024 and 2026, reflecting improved production capacity and stronger integration into global markets.
Among those benefiting is Kibe Dame, who represents 150 beekeepers in Gera Woreda. Through training in modern beekeeping, quality assurance and post-harvest handling, she has upgraded production standards and now supplies honey for export.
“Through the training, I have significantly improved the quality of my honey and connected with exporters preparing products for international markets,” Dame said.
The programme has also expanded knowledge sharing among farming communities, with trained beekeepers passing improved techniques to neighbouring producers, leading to better yields and higher-quality honey.
Beyond boosting exports and incomes, the initiative promotes climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use through responsible beekeeping practices.
UNIDO has also supplied beekeepers with practical equipment and illustrated training guides while placing a strong emphasis on women’s participation in the sector.
The programme is transforming beekeeping from a subsistence activity into a commercially viable enterprise, connecting rural producers to global markets and creating new economic opportunities for farming communities across Ethiopia.
