According to beekeepers, climate change, a possible new pest already present in Nicaragua and unfair competition are the factors affecting the sector's performance.
In 2013 a 7.8% increase was reported in the number of kilos produced compared to the year 2012. However, industry members say that for the next harvest they expect a decline in production levels due to the negative effects of climate change and other factors.
The number of hives in production increased from 26,000 in 2006 to 45,000 in 2013, reaching a total level of honey production of 900 tons in the last year.
The 1,782 beekeepers engaged in honey production in the country managed to increase the productive capacity of the hives implementing techniques such as breeding queens, among other things.
According to the National Beekeeping Programme, at the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), the production numbers "... make Costa Rica self-sufficient as far as honey production is concerned."
58% of Canadian families buy organic food at least once a week, making it an attractive market for companies producing these products.
The demand for organic food has grown in recent years both in Europe and in North America, where countries such as Germany, Switzerland, the United States and Canada are buying more and more organic food which is free of pesticides, dyes and other chemicals in order to improve their health.
Between 2010 and 2011 the amount of land sown with seeds for organic products was reduced from 11,115 hectares to 7,448 hectares.
The reduction in revenues from developed markets due to the economic crisis and high production costs may be the reasons behind the reduction in the global demand for organic products, by companies in this sector.
Being more expensive than traditional products, "...
The agreement approved by the National Assembly of Nicaragua allows entry into the Cuban market of products such as meat, milk, honey and black beans.
The agreement, which aims to extend preferential entry of goods into Cuba, includes tax treatments and sanitary and phytosanitary measures to be observed in the exchange of products.
"The agreement, which was approved by a vote by 81 MPs from both the ruling party and the opposition, had been sent "to emergency procedure" by the executive branch, headed by Daniel Ortega, revealed the National Assembly through its press service . "
Manufacturers reported a reduction of 70% compared to the previous harvest season and estimate a drop in exports this year.
AGEXPORT estimates a 40% decrease in the volume of honey projected for the current season.
From a press release issued by the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT):
The Beekeeping Committee at AGEXPORT has expressed its state of alarm over the current difficulties facing the beekeeping industry nationally, due to a drastic reduction in the volumes of honey which has been harvested to date, compared with the harvest during the last season.
Guatemala exports to South Korea and China have increased by 185% and 382%, respectively.
Details from the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) show that South Korea and China are the two Asian countries with the most products sales from the Central American nation, with honey, sugar and shrimp being the main exports.
" ... Over the past year the value of products shipped to South Korea totaled $151.5 million, while in 2012 $53 million was sold, representing an increase of 185.5 %," said Estuardo Castillo, president of Agexport.
During 2013 foreign sales of 2 thousand tons generated revenues of $6.1 million.
Data from the Ministry of Economy (Minec) reveals that in recent years Salvadoran honey has gained ground especially in the European market. During 2013 foreign sales of the product generated revenues of $6.1 million, which is 29% more than in 2012, when $4.7 million worth was sold.
Nicaragua's current and potential agricultural sector offers opportunities that the industry has not exploited to the fullest.
This was explained Roberto Brenes, General Manager the Export and Investment Center (CEI) in an interview he conducted with Massiell Largaespada from Elnuevodiario.com.ni.
The official explained that for this to be able to happen, producers must take on a challenge and that is in the production process and introduction of technology in order to move from producing raw materials to producing products with added value.
The country has high quality honey but is far from competing with the big exporters like China and India.
The main destination of the 1,978 metric tons of honey produced during the 2012-13 harvest was Europe, however, this is not enough for the country to compete with major exporters such as China, Mexico or India. This amount was 536 tons more than the harvest exported during 2011-12 when 1,442 tons were sold.
The entry into force of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union encourages projects to increase honey production in Nicaragua.
Currently production is less than 500 tonnes per year, equivalent to 0.09% of what was imported globally last year (518,818 tonnes). According to Luz Marina Arana, coordinator of marketing research of the Center for Export and Investment (CEI), although Nicaraguan honey has entered duty free since 2004, with the entry into force of the trade agreement, "the new rules will stabilize trade and expand the possibility of new markets. "
The "Coffee and Honey Mayan Group" consists of five business from the Salvadoran coffee and honey sectors who together are making a joint effort to promote their products.
Elmundo.com.sv reports that "Five small and medium enterprises in the areas of coffee and honey will unite to form a consortium for a promotion that will allow them to facilitate the export of their products abroad through various joint activities, reported the Productive Chains Directorate of the Ministry of Economy (Minec). "
New rules have been established for the regulation of beekeeping that meet the requirements of European Union on honey imports.
Prensalibre.com reports that "The Agreement 169-2012, from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), published yesterday in the Journal of Central America, provides guidelines for creating a Guatemalan Beekeeping registry, issuing operating licenses and health and safety certificates for exports.
The country currently exports coffee, cardamom, macadamia, sesame, honey, lemon and black tea, and other products such as melon, papaya, mango and pineapple are seeking access to international markets.
Producers agree that the sale of crops raised organically generates profits of up to 70% more than those from traditional planting.
"Gaspar Armando, a cooperative farmer in the Mayan Peoples Federation (Fedepma) reported that although the volume of production is less, compared to coffee produced from chemicals, sales can generate higher profits by up 70 percent", reported Prensalibre.com.
Suppliers of organic products reported a rise in sales and improved market conditions.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
Sales of organic products in Europe Recover
According to Organic Monitor many suppliers of organic products have reported a rise in sales and improved market conditions, however, this situation is not shared by all European countries.