International Honey Trade Symposium

VIETNAM HOSTS INTERNATIONAL HONEY TRADE SYMPOSIUM

This important meeting was the First Symposium on Issues Concerning Developing Countries' International Trade in Honey. It was organised by three of Apimondia's Standing Commissions: Beekeeping Economy, Beekeeping for Rural Development and Honeybee Pathology. A total of 161 people from 23 countries participated in the Symposium, which was held in Hanoi's new Sheraton Hotel, in November 2004.

Vietnam was an appropriate country for this Symposium, having achieved a remarkable increase in honey production and export in recent years. However this development has not been without many problems along the way. Beekeepers' groups - in Vietnam and other developing countries - who plan to export honey, must these days have an excellent understanding of market requirements. The EU enforces strict legislation concerning honey imports (BfDJ 59 and BfDJ 63), and companies exporting to the USA must register with the US Food and Drug Administration. Much of the legislation concerning honey and food imports in general relates to the need for absence of residues of medicines: these may occur in honey if used to control honeybee diseases. The easiest solution for beekeepers is to avoid the use of these medicines in the first place. Therefore the Symposium provided the current, best knowledge of how to treat honeybee diseases and Varroa mites in ways that are both sustainable and avoid the use of medicines that will leave residues in honey and/or beeswax.

This excellent Symposium provided a unique opportunity for producers, traders, buyers and top scientists to exchange information.

Mr Vu Van Xuan, a beekeeper keeping Apis cerana honeybees in Hung Yen Province

Symposium delegates enjoying their delicious Vietnamese lunch in traditional style

© D Q Tam

Symposium sponsors

We particularly thank Sojitz Europe plc for their sponsorship of this Symposium. Other sponsors included: Apidona, Beehonex, Cordaid, CIDSE, Dak Lak Honeybee Stock Co, Duc Huy Co Ltd, FAO, Long Quan Co Ltd, Phong Son Co Ltd, Southern Honey Co Ltd, Thao Nguyen Co Ltd, Vietnam Honey Co Ltd and Vinapi.