Exporting to the EU

To export honey to the EU, a number of requirements must be met. 

Some of these are primary requirements, essential for export and must be achieved first. Secondary requirements are also necessary, but can fall into place once the primary requirements have been met.

Primary requirements

1. Viable offer to the market
2. Listed in the EU list of third countries eligible to export honey to the EU
3. Clean honey

Secondary requirements

1. Engaging with a buyer
2. A traceability system
3. A HACCP plan

Primary requirements

1. Viable offer to the market

An exporter must offer a quality product of a volume and price that can compete with other honeys in the market place.  Usually honey that is exported is not sold directly by beekeepers into the export market but first consolidated by a processor, honey trader, exporter or co-operative.  These exporters must have the finance, expertise and commitment to engage in honey export and sufficient resources to buy adequate volumes of honey from beekeepers.

In Africa this is the biggest challenge facing the beekeeping industry - not because total production is low, but because it is difficult to efficiently consolidate large volumes ready for export in one place.

2. EU listing as a third country eligible to export honey

For any non-EU country to access EU markets it is essential that the country of origin of the honey has been accepted by the EC as a third country eligible to export honey - and this is achieved through the preparation, implementation and submission of a Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP). National governments must identify a Competent Authority to take responsibility for managing a Residue Monitoring System within the country and submitting a RMP annually to the EU.