Honey: an export opportunity?

Recent scandals about contamination of honey in India could represent a golden opportunity for fast-moving kiwi exporters.

Early this year Indian honey exports to the EU were blocked due to tests showing antibiotics and heavy metal contamination. Indian authorities have blamed the problem on Chinese honey being “laundered” through India to sidestep an EU ban and US anti-dumping duties.

However, an environmental NGO – the Centre for Science and the Environment, based in New Delhi – recently tested 12 brands of honey samples sold domestically for levels of antibiotics. Multiple antibiotics were found in high amounts in 11 out of the 12 samples tested, including samples from Australia and Switzerland. Together the brands in question accounted for over 85% of domestic sales.

Rules issued under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (India’s main food safety law) do not prescribe maximum limits for antibiotics. But concerns about contamination could prompt India’s food safety regulators to act. They may also move to prohibit imports from China.

Officially, India imported US$3.2m worth of honey last year; about 70% of that came from China.

Honey is valued in Ayurvedic medicine for use in remedies for various ailments, like coughs and colds, to reduce blood pressure and improve eyesight. Many Indians take a teaspoon daily to as a preventative treatment. Of course, these perceived health benefits will be negated if customers fear the honey is from a contaminated source.

New Zealand’s honey exports to India were a modest $14,000 in 2009 according to Statistics New Zealand. But the circumstances are favourable for a fast-moving exporter with a demonstrably pure product to carve out a much larger niche for 100% pure New Zealand honey.