UNIDO Stresses Importance of Market Access to Convert Honey to Prosperity for People

Addis Ababa, January 22, 2026 (ENA)—Highlighting Ethiopia's remarkable 45 percent surge in honey production, UNIDO Representative Stephen Bainous Kargbo has stressed the importance of market access to convert honey to prosperity for the people.

A honey value chain conference was held today in Addis Ababa.

 Speaking at the conference, UNIDO Representative Kargbo appreciated the growth in honey production, noting the need for market access.

 “Market access is key if we want to make sure that the existence of honey is converted to prosperity for people,” he said.

 Sharing his thoughts around market access, he stated "we are not just only thinking about the international market. We also think about regional markets, we also think about local markets."

 And we understand that for this type of access, we need different layers, he elaborated, adding that by different layers of interventions he meant to ensure first of all not only that bee producers are kept alive, fed and happy, but also that in fact we can harness and harvest what they are producing.

 "But even more importantly, then we can market it so that there are economic benefits. I'm a fan believer in the importance of economic benefits, but also social and environmental benefits. So market access is very key," Kargbo stressed.

 According to him, producers incomes have now more than doubled. “And I think this is really the trend to go. But let's not forget, the bees have to be kept fed and the bees have to be happy.”

 Representative of Agriculture State Minister Fikru Regassa framed beekeeping as a cornerstone of national resilience.

 “Bee keeping is more than a farm and it is a symbol of nature based on best solutions, resilience, conservation, food security, economy and cultural buildings,” he said.

 For these gains to be permanent, the representative stated that Ethiopia requires “strong and long standing self sustainable association.”

 Ethiopian Apiculture Development Association (EADA) General Manager, Negash Bekana pointed out on his part that the association is promoting the sector by linking market linkage activities.

 “We are now moving investment in the sector to enhance the sector's development efforts,” he noted, emphasizing that the introduction of new technologies is essential to secure Ethiopia’s future as a global leader in high-quality honey.

 Slovenian Ambassador Kristina Radej, herself a beekeeper, further advocated for technical innovation, stating, “I would like to introduce also modern beekeeping to Ethiopia... to put modern beekeeping or urban beekeeping on the strategy of this city.”

The conference held under the theme "Advancing a Viable and Sustainable Apiculture Sector in Ethiopia" is financially supported by Norway.

 Ambassador Stian Christensen of Norway remarked, “Today, we shall witness the power of firm collaboration and what can be achieved when knowledge, government vision, international cooperation and strong commitment align”.