More demanding quality standards in international markets and lack of financing explain the 40% drop reported in exports to November 2019.
According to figures from the Center for Export Procedures (Cetrex), between January and November 2019 the country exported 442 tons of natural honey, a volume that is 20% lower than the tons traded during the same period in 2018.
Facilitating credits for producers, as well as encouraging the production and marketing of honey, are some of the plans that the Salvadoran authorities have for the coming years.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) will implement the 2019-2028 Beekeeping Sector Policy, which was developed by the productive sector in the National Beekeeping Table, with financing from Swisscontact and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), through its innovation laboratory BID-LAB, informed an official source.
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.
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.
Climatic factors and a fall in international prices are some of the reasons for the reduction of 50% in the volume exported in 2016 compared to the previous year.
The export value fell from $9 million in 2015 to almost $2.7 million reported in 2016.The volume exported fell from 2.5 million kilos in 2015 to 1.2 million kilos last year. In addition to drought, prices have also been affected by a decline in sales, as other countriessell honey at prices that are more competitive than El Salvador.
The increase in the number of beekeepers and hives during 2015 was not enough to avoid a drop in production, especially in Panama Oeste, where 519 fewer gallons were produced.
According to data from the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA),"... 27 beekeepers produced 302 gallons of honey from 241 hives, however, last year 17 beekeepers processed 821 gallons from 146 honey bee hives, a variation of 63.2%. "
The fall in international prices coupled with a 50% decline in production explains the negative outlook that beekeepers have for this year, 2016.
Reports state that the international price has fallen by up to 55%, as a metric ton of honey went from trading at between $4,000 and $4,200 in 2015 to a range of $2,000 to $2,400 so far this year, reports Prensalibre.com.
So far in 2015 $9.1 million worth has been exported, a 42% increase in higher than total exports in 2014, when the sales amounted $6.4 million.
Of the total produced, 85% was sold abroad, with only the remaining 15% being consumed locally. So far this year, exports have increased in value and volume, going from 1,964 tons in 2014 to 2330 tons this year, according to the Beekeeping Committee at the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT).
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.
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