Kilimanjaro beekeepers urged to seize sector’s economic opportunities

Moshi. Beekeepers in Kilimanjaro have been urged to harness high-value products like honey and royal jelly to boost incomes and support national economic growth through the beekeeping sector.

Tanzania is ranked the world’s second-largest honey producer, generating approximately 38,000 tonnes annually, second to Ethiopia, which produces 50,000 tonnes a year.

Among the most valuable bee products is royal jelly, with a litre fetching over Sh12 million in certain international markets.

Speaking on Saturday, May 24, 2025, to local beekeepers, an environmental officer from Floresta Tanzania, Ms Judith Makange, stressed the importance of value addition and the use of modern production methods in apiculture.

“Royal jelly is extracted using professional techniques and is not as easily harvested as honey, but its market price is extremely high,” she said.

“For instance, a single litre can sell for more than Sh12 million. The main buyers are financially able individuals who understand its health benefits,” added Ms Makange.

She added that the global demand for royal jelly continues to rise, due to its nutritional content and reported benefits, including anti-ageing properties.

“With the training and advanced techniques we possess, we can harvest this product more efficiently and deliver it to consumers with the required quality standards,” she said.

Ms Makange explained that royal jelly production remains limited due to the complex extraction process, which requires a large number of hives.

She therefore urged members of the public to embrace the opportunity and invest in the sector.

Speaking at the same event, Floresta Tanzania Director, Mr Richard Mhina, said the organisation has already established 25 beekeeping groups in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region.

The initiative aims to enhance local ecosystems and empower communities economically through bee-derived products such as royal jelly, honey, and beeswax.

He said the organisation has provided each group with startup capital in the form of four beehives and training in best beekeeping practices and appropriate harvesting techniques, thereby enabling residents to improve their income.

He added that although the hive distribution started in Same District, beekeeping education has already been extended throughout the Kilimanjaro Region, and citizens are encouraged to take advantage of available opportunities.

“In the Same District alone, we’ve launched 25 groups, each comprising between 25 and 32 members. We offer training in best practices for beekeeping, and our experts ensure that people gain accurate knowledge about bee products. Many know only about honey, yet bees provide much more,” said Mr Mhina.

He added, “To ensure sustainability, we also teach participants how to expand hive production and continue generating bee products so that, even after we phase out direct supervision, they can sustain and grow their activities—benefiting both current and future generations.”