Nigeria Missing Out on $10bn Global Honey Market – Expert 

Abuja, Nigeria  — Nigeria is losing an estimated $10 billion annually due to its inability to tap into the lucrative global honey market, a challenge largely attributed to an underdeveloped beekeeping industry.

This concern was raised by Gideon Dagundoro, President of the Grassroots Beekeepers Association of Nigeria, in an interview where he urged the federal government to intervene in revamping the sector.

Dagundoro lamented that despite the country’s potential in beekeeping, Nigeria remains heavily dependent on honey imports, with local production failing to meet international standards.

“Beekeeping is one of the most lucrative animal ventures,” Dagundoro stated. “Beyond honey, the industry offers valuable by-products like bee venom, wax, and pollen, yet Nigeria has failed to harness its full potential.”

Highlighting the industry’s accessibility, he noted that beekeeping requires minimal space, basic skills, and low startup costs, making it an untapped goldmine capable of boosting the economy and addressing unemployment.

Addressing key challenges, Dagundoro emphasized the need for modern infrastructure and financial support to enhance production quality. He noted that Nigeria still relies on outdated hives and lacks the sophisticated machinery necessary for efficient honey harvesting and processing.

“The absence of internationally recognized hives and contamination from pesticides and diseases prevent our honey from being exported,” he explained. “Government support in funding modernized beekeeping systems would greatly improve productivity and competitiveness.”

With climate change threatening ecosystems globally, Dagundoro stressed that a thriving beekeeping sector could also play a crucial role in environmental conservation.

The expert concluded with a call for strategic investments to position Nigeria as a major player in the international honey market, unlocking economic growth and employment opportunities.

By Enoch Odesola | March 23, 2025.