Unlocking market potential: Stakeholders mobilize for Nepal’s honey value chain
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is supporting the economic development of Nepal by improving livelihood opportunities for small-scale beekeepers, MSMEs and honey processors in selected districts of Nepal through the sale of high-quality honey under the Market Access Programme for the Nepalese Honey Value Chain (GMAP Nepal), funded by Norway.
The Nepalese honey sector is poised for transformation following the initial series of district-level stakeholder sensitization workshops and field visits. The initiative convened key stakeholders - including beekeepers, processors, traders, civil society and government representatives - to address pressing challenges and explore opportunities for enhancing market access, quality compliance, and sustainable production.
Bridging gaps in quality and market access
Despite Nepal’s rich biodiversity and potential for high-value honey production, stakeholders highlighted significant barriers, including weak compliance with international quality standards, limited access to accredited testing facilities, lack of knowledge transformation platforms and branding and traceability mechanisms. Discussions underscored the urgent need for streamlined certification processes, improved forage management, promoting a culture of openness to discuss the issues of the sector, and collective marketing strategies to boost competitiveness.
“The demand for Nepalese honey is growing, but ensuring compliance with quality, safety and further market standards is critical for global positioning,” noted Dr. Sabitri Baral, Chief of the Center for Industrial Entomology Development (CIED), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Nepal. “By fostering collaboration among value chain actors and regulators, we can strengthen the entire value chain.”
Key takeaways and next steps
The workshops emphasized capacity building, policy advocacy, and infrastructure investment as essential next steps. Recommendations included the establishment of local testing facilities, expansion of learning centers for beekeepers, and the promotion of geographical branding to distinguish Nepalese honey in the domestic as well as regional and international markets. Stakeholders also called for government interventions to support certification efforts and streamline regulatory procedures.
As the GMAP Nepal project advances, ongoing engagement with local actors and government will be maintained to translate these insights into action, ensuring a more competitive and sustainable honey industry for Nepal.
Read more about the project here: https://compass.unido.org/projects/210186
For further information, please contact: gmap-nepal [at] unido.org
