Page 23 - Agric Info Mag 2018 - 01

Prepared by Allan Williams mand has been outstripping the
(Agricultural Instructor, Extension local supply of honey. This has
and Advisory Services, Ministry of been the trend for the past 4
Agriculture) years and its implications for
such an occurrence became
The local demand for honey has been more evident in 2017 to early
increasing in SVG at an average of 2018. Local honey price realized
12% annually. This increasing de-
drastic inflation in 2017 which

moved from $55.00 to as high as $87.50 per 750ml bottle
retail. Hence, local honey experienced 59% price infla-
tion. There is currently no local honey on the shelves. In
addition, whatsoever honey is produced by beekeepers
are quickly devoured by local consumers before it
reaches the supermarkets. Local honey is expected to re-
turn to shelves by the end of March this year after a slow
start of the honey flow period. This slow start has been
affected by the current consistent rainfall pattern.

While it was advantageous for the bee-
keepers to have received extra premium
price for their honey, the national inter-
est or objective was challenged when
the price of honey became exorbitant
(according to our local standard). A
policy objective of the Ministry of Ag-
riculture is food and nutrition security;
hence the Ministry always advocate a
balance between the beekeeper‘s finan-
cial gain and the general affordability
of the populace.

The national objective must be pro-
moted always for the interest of all
within the local industry. The bee- our local industry if most of our household can afford to have
keeper must be encouraged to receive a honey as a common food within their diet.
favorable livelihood while the average
consumer must not feel it to be a finan- It must be noted though, that our honey industry has been primar-
cial burden for choosing honey as a ily driven by our local beekeepers and they must be commended
healthier alternative sweetener. As a for their resilience since local honey returned and has consistently
matter of fact, there will be benefits to