Stakeholders in honey business and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council have begun plans to explore the European Union market for sales of Nigerian honey.
This was contained in a communiqué on Monday after a meeting organised by NEPC to ensure the certification of Nigerian honey for the EU market.
According to the communiqué, participants at the meeting complained about the harsh economic realities facing the world and Nigeria in particular.
They expressed optimism that business opportunities for Nigerian honey abound consequent on the current decline of official production of European honey.
The communiqué read in part, "There is an urgent need to embark on the certification process in order to boost export earnings in the sub-sector by upgrading the technical expertise and introducing modern bee-keeping practices to increase production output and quality in line with international best practices.
"There is the need for the constitution of a National Technical Committee to urgently set in motion the modalities for 'third country' listing of Nigerian honey for the European Union market. There is an urgent need for the appointment of a honey consultant to work with the National Technical Committee on the certification process.
The appointment of a National Competent Authority is paramount for the Certification process."
While urging state governments and financial institutions to encourage the honey producers, the participants advocated the formation of an association that would secure their interest.
It added, "There is the need for state governments to encourage the formation of honey processors/producers/co-operatives/farmers for the purpose of honey production for local and international markets. Stakeholders called on financial institutions to provide requisite funding to encourage honey production.
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