Ukraine’s honey exports have not weakened despite the war

by time news

2024-11-18 23:26:00

Since the beginning of the war, honey exports from Ukraine have not weakened, on the contrary. They persist and ⁢cause concern even among European producers.⁢ Because Ukraine is⁣ an important honey supplier to the European Union. ⁣ ⁢

The European Union (EU) imports on average ⁢49,000‌ tonnes of Ukrainian honey per year. The ‍country ‌is an important supplier⁢ to Europe: its⁤ sunflower honey is particularly sought after for honey production” all the flowers » as well ​as⁤ the creamiest honeys.

At the outbreak of the war the question‍ immediately arose:‍ how to do without this honey if exports⁢ stopped. But very quickly​ the answer came: the war did not affect ‍the volumes sold in Europe. “ There is still a‍ lot of honey coming from Ukraine » confirms an expert in the sector.

So much so that some are starting to ⁤doubt and wonder if it isn’t⁤ honey. Ukrainians »: that is, Asian honey, and in ⁣particular Chinese honey, which would transit through ‍Ukraine to change labels, that of Ukrainian ⁣honey​ which has ​a decidedly better reputation in Europe. In terms of volumes it would be possible: the Middle Kingdom is ⁢the largest honey ‍producer in the world.

Emergency brake‌ activated for Ukrainian honey

The concern about the origin, but also about the volumes, is ‌such that operators in the‌ sector have requested the implementation‍ of an emergency ⁤brake. The ⁣same ⁣applies to six other raw materials exported from Ukraine: ⁣eggs, poultry, sugar, oats, corn ⁣and semolina. European ⁢customs duties are suspended on⁢ these products, but reintroduced above a certain volume.

The duty-free volume has been‍ set for 2024,​ for honey,‍ just over 44,417 tonnes, reached since August, demonstrating the dynamism of exports. Ukrainian honey will then be taxed again until the⁤ end of the year.

French production down by a quarter?

The concern is expressed above all ‍in France, ⁤where the harvests of the ⁤last two years have been quite​ good, explains Eric Lelong,⁣ president of the interprofessional association⁤ InterApi and president ⁣of the ⁣FNSEA beekeeping commission.⁣ Beekeepers found themselves at ‌the end of 2023 with unsold goods and falling prices.

This autumn ⁢the trend ‍has reversed: prices have increased⁢ due ⁣to a reduction ⁢in⁣ production in France, as well ⁤as in Finland and Slovenia, according to the‍ Abeilles et Fleurs magazine of October 2024. The latest estimates transmitted by InterApi⁤ report a production that ⁣could decrease this year in France by 27%, i.e. less than the⁤ 40% announced at the beginning​ of October by ‍the beekeepers’ union Unaf.

What are the key factors contributing to the growth of Ukrainian honey exports during ‌the war ⁤in Ukraine?

Interview between Time.news Editor and Honey Export Expert

Time.news Editor (T.N.E): Welcome ‍to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into a surprising trend in the honey market,​ especially in light of the ongoing war in⁢ Ukraine. Joining us is⁤ Dr. Elena Voronov, an expert in apiculture⁢ and honey trade. Thank ⁢you for being here, Dr. Voronov.

Dr. Voronov (D.V.): Thank you ‌for having me! It’s great to discuss this intriguing topic.

T.N.E: Since the onset of the war, we’ve seen that Ukrainian honey exports have not only remained stable, but they’ve⁤ actually continued to grow. That’s quite remarkable, isn’t ⁢it?

D.V.: Absolutely! ​It’s surprising to many, especially considering the​ chaos and uncertainty brought by‌ the war. Ukraine has historically been a significant supplier of ​honey to the European⁢ Union, providing around 49,000 tonnes annually. The resilience of this market is truly impressive.

T.N.E: What makes ‌Ukrainian honey⁢ so desirable, particularly in Europe?

D.V.: Ukrainian honey, especially sunflower honey, stands out due to its unique flavor and purity. Additionally, it’s known for its rich nutritional profile, which ⁣appeals to health-conscious consumers. The method of production in Ukraine also follows traditional ⁣practices, which many European buyers prefer.

T.N.E: Given the ongoing conflict, were ‍there initial concerns regarding the continuity​ of these exports?

D.V.: Certainly. At the outbreak of the war, many industry ⁣players ‌worried about ‌supply disruptions. However, it quickly became evident that exports ‍weren’t significantly affected. Ukrainian beekeepers adapted rapidly, ensuring that⁣ their production lines remained effective.

T.N.E: Interesting! There’s also talk about some European producers expressing concerns over the authenticity of the honey coming‍ from Ukraine.⁢ Can you elaborate on that?

D.V.: Yes, there’s been a growing suspicion that not⁢ all honey labeled as Ukrainian is⁤ genuinely⁣ sourced from Ukraine. There ‍are claims that some honey might be mixed with⁤ Chinese honey and rebranded as Ukrainian to ‍take advantage⁢ of its reputation. This situation has raised⁢ red‍ flags among certain stakeholders‍ in the EU.

T.N.E: That certainly poses a challenge. What are industry ‌operators doing in response⁢ to these concerns regarding origins and volumes?

D.V.: There⁣ have been calls from various operators ‌within the sector ​to implement regulatory checks—essentially an “emergency brake” on imports to ensure that ⁤what’s ​being ⁤sold is indeed authentic Ukrainian⁣ honey. This is⁤ crucial not just for consumer trust, ⁤but‌ also for protecting genuine Ukrainian producers.

T.N.E: It seems necessary for maintaining the integrity of⁤ the market. How do‌ you​ see the situation evolving in ⁢the coming​ months?

D.V.: It’s hard to ⁤predict, given⁢ the instability‌ of the region. However, ⁤if Ukrainian producers can continue to meet European demand while navigating these challenges, they could reinforce their position in the market. On⁣ the ​other hand, the ‌scrutiny over authenticity could lead to stricter ‍import regulations, which might ⁤reshape the trade dynamics significantly.

T.N.E: Thank you, Dr.‌ Voronov, for this enlightening discussion. It’s clear that‌ despite‌ the challenges, the resilience of the Ukrainian honey sector is ⁤noteworthy, and⁣ how Europe responds will be interesting to watch.

D.V.: Thank you for having me! It’s important to ​keep an eye on​ these developments in the honey marketplace.

T.N.E: Absolutely! We appreciate your insights and look forward to seeing how this story unfolds.

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