Honey production, utilization and marketing in northern Ethiopia

Abstract

A total of 164 beekeepers were selected from four districts namely; Degua Timben, Hawzen, Saesiea-Tsaeda-Emba and Atsib situated in Tigray Region of Northern Ethiopia. The data were obtained by using pre-tested, structured questionnaire on demographic characteristics, honey production potential, utilization and marketing. Beekeeping activities of the respondents were dominated by males (91.46%). Modern (movable-frame) hive produced significantly higher (p<0.05) honey (29.63±1.04 kg) per hive per year than the traditional (fixed-frame) hive (10.14±0.67 kg). The overall price of honey from traditional and modern hive was found to be 139.85±33.43 ETB and 227.45±30.35 ETB, respectively while the overall mean price of beeswax and bee colony was 36.85±6.35 ETB and 1413.10 ETB, respectively. The price of honey from traditional as well as modern hive did not differ significantly (p<0.05) among four districts while the price of bees wax was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Degua-Timben and Saesiea-Tsaeda-Emba.