Honey Production: Business Upwards in Costa Rica

Between 2017 and 2018, honey production increased by 5%, and according to businessmen there are opportunities for the sector to continue on the right path, because in the Costa Rican market there is still demand that can not be met with local production.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

The Agricultural Statistical Bulletin, prepared by the Executive Secretariat of Agricultural Sector Planning, states that between 2017 and 2018 production grew from 1,128 to 1,180 metric tons.

Ana Cubero, manager of the National Apiculture Program, explained to Nacion.com that "... the demand is not yet filled with local production. Therefore, it should be imported and last year purchases abroad increased strongly."

For Rubén Chavarría, administrator of the Association of Beekeepers (Asoapi), local producers are unable to meet the demand of the local market because "... there is a lack of incentives through a sectorial program, because the beekeeping sector has never been seen as it is seen in livestock, pig farming, horticulture and other sectors."

The unsatisfied demand of the Costa Rican market is covered with imports and according to data from the Promotora del Comercio Exterior (Procomer), between 2017 and 2018 the import of natural honey increased by 71%, going from 380 to 650 tons.

See Boletin Estadistico Agropecuario (in Spanish).

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