Armenia may enter international market of organic honey

PanARMENIAN.Net - Favorable climate conditions for production of organic honey enable Armenia to compete in the international market. Though our country can’t rival such leaders in the production and supply of honey as China and Argentina, it possesses the potential to enter the market of certified organic products. Due to its high quality and small quantity Armenia can’t lead in low-price market.

Chairman of National Beekeepers Association Telman Nazaryan said that the honey production dropped from 1000 tons to 50-60 tons in 2012 over the unfavorable weather conditions. Beekeeping development strategy for 2013-2020 is elaborated in Armenia, with production of hives with the use of perlite planned. The number of bee swarms in Armenia currently totals about 200 thous. against 300 thous. in the Soviet times.

However, the ban on chemical treatment of bees hampers the export of organic product, with the only bee veterinarian employed in the ministry of agriculture, having left the country. The chemical treatment, ecological problems and widespread use of mobile phones brings about extinction of bees.

The absence of state control in the production market and the realization of honey is another problem. According to Telman Nazaryan, the product must be certified and the consumer has the right to demand the document.

To be healthy, a person should eat 100-120 g honey per day, with Armenian Ministry of Healthcare having granted official permission for the use of honey in medicine.