What It Is
Honey is a natural sweet substance produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers. It is highly valued for its unique taste, nutritional benefits, and medicinal properties. Unlike refined sugar, honey contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants that make it both a natural sweetener and a health-enhancing product.
What Export of It Is
The export of honey involves sourcing pure, unadulterated honey from bee farmers or processing facilities, filtering and packaging it hygienically, and shipping it to international markets where demand is consistently high due to its use in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Types of Honey for Export
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Raw Honey – minimally processed, retains natural enzymes and pollen.
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Filtered Honey – free from wax and impurities, with a smooth texture.
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Comb Honey – sold in natural honeycomb form.
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Organic Honey – produced without pesticides or synthetic chemicals.
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Floral Honey Variants – e.g., acacia honey, citrus honey, eucalyptus honey, depending on flower sources.
Export Specifications
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Moisture Content: ≤ 18%
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Sucrose Content: ≤ 5%
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Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF): ≤ 40 mg/kg (for quality preservation)
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Color Variants: Light amber, golden, dark amber
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Forms for Export:
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Bulk (in drums of 25kg, 50kg, or 300kg)
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Retail Packs (250g, 500g, 1kg jars, bottles, or sachets)
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Packaging for Export
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Bulk Packaging: Food-grade steel or plastic drums, tightly sealed.
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Retail Packaging: Glass jars, PET bottles, or sachets with tamper-proof seals.
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Labeling: Must include product name, net weight, country of origin, nutritional information, and batch/expiry date.
Uses of Honey
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Food & Beverage Industry: Natural sweetener in tea, coffee, pastries, and confectionery.
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Medicine & Pharmaceuticals: Used in cough syrups, wound healing ointments, and immunity-boosting products.
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Cosmetics & Skincare: Ingredient in lotions, soaps, and hair care products.
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Nutritional Supplements: Combined with herbs for wellness products.
Major Importing Markets
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Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain.
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Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait.
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North America: United States, Canada.
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Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, India.
HS Code for Honey
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HS Code: 0409.00 – Natural Honey
UK Market Demand
The UK imports over 40,000 metric tons of honey annually, with growing preference for organic and raw honey. Nigerian honey is gaining recognition for its purity, darker color, and rich taste, making it attractive to UK retailers and consumers seeking natural and exotic honey varieties.
Summary: Honey is a high-demand natural product with wide applications in food, health, and cosmetics. Exporting honey requires strict adherence to international quality standards, hygienic processing, and attractive packaging to compete favorably in global markets.
