DISCUSSION OF MARKET CONSTRAINTS FOR ZAMBIAN HONEY AND OTHER BEE PRODUCTS. PRESENTED TO THE AGRI-PRO FOCUS MULTI -STAKEHOLDER MEETING: OCTOBER 5 – AT FRINGILLA LODGE IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA. Prepared by: Felix Chizhuka Date: October 2 nd 2009

What is the Agri-Business Forum  Established in 1998 as a business association to represent interests of private sector companies and farmers/producer associations  The core business is contracting smallholder farmers for various agricultural and forest products.  Add value to the commodities for trade

Domestic Market  The size is not well known  A lot of informal trading  Limited standards  Limited characterization of products  High retail prices  Limited promotions  Offers opportunity for access into retail markets for higher margins  Limited distribution channels  Weak infrastructure

Regional market  Not well known (size and detail)  Offers easier access for retail packs for higher margins  Possible to characterize the product using labels on the retail packs  Similar taste orientation  Emerging distribution channels with some level of sophistication  Weak infrastructure

Overseas Markets  Mostly for organic  Very low prices for conventional honey  Fancy entry standards  Bulk supplies, as such, operate on lower margins  Limited characterization of the product  Honey sold to middle men in bulk  Different taste orientation  Developed and sophisticated distribution channels  Developed infrastructure

The MOST important considerations regarding Markets:  Knowledge of your product and of the market  Knowledge of the supply chain (the logistics).  Stable source for the commodity

Conclusions  Need to understand one’s product (e.g. wax, propolis)  Need to understand the targeted market.  Need to understand required logistics to get a product to a market  Need to have the volume before thinking of value addition

ZHC/ZBS Quality Assurance Mark  When buying honey in zambia, look for this mark

I Thank You for Your Attention!