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Saudi Arabia’s Taste for Honey
By Rosemary Shenouda
Five thousand metric tons of
honey would coat a whole lot of biscuits! In Saudi Arabia, where
a population just shy of 20 million consumes this much of the
sweet stuff every year, the use of honey pervades every aspect of
the diet.
This market for U.S. exporters rose dramatically in 1995, up to 333 metric tons of honey sales from 87 tons the year before. Though exports dropped in 1996 to 285 tons, the $700,000 worth of sales still makes this an important market for U.S. honey producers.
Honey Intrinsic to Culture
The Koran, Islam’s holy book, refers to honey’s healing and medicinal properties. Whether used for its medicinal value, as a restorative or simply for sweetening, the Saudi family consumes 1 kilogram of honey per month, on average.
While honey is used daily, consumption is greater during traditional, religious and festive occasions, particularly during the month of Ramadan. During this season of daytime fasting, families prepare more desserts for the evening meal to quickly replenish their energy.
Imports Dominate
Market
Saudi statistics show that Saudi Arabia produces almost 90 tons of honey a year--only 2 to 4 percent of what it consumes. However, many small operations may not be accounted for, since they do not sell on a commercial basis and are not registered with the Ministry of Commerce.
Saudi Arabia imports honey in bulk (in 200-kilogram drums) and ready-to-sell retail packages ranging from 125 grams to 3 kilograms. Independent importers or commission agents distribute the bulk product to food processors and repacking factories and retail packages to wholesalers and groceries.
Main suppliers include Germany, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Turkey. Cheaper and lower quality honey, chiefly for industrial uses, is imported from Eastern Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Neighboring Yemen supplies Saudi Arabia with the most desired, expensive honey--Saudis to be the purest of all. And they’re willing to pay $190 per kilogram for it.
Industrial Use...Honey?
Honey sold in large quantities, such as
the 200-kilogram drums, is considered industrial honey to be
further processed by the Saudis. Manufacturers blend, refine and
repack honey from several sources. This domestically processed
product accounts for 15 percent of local honey sales and is also
re-exported.
Re-packed sizes range from 25 to 50 grams. Honey originating from Eastern Europe and Turkey is often blended and repacked in small packets for sale on a contractual basis to airlines, hospitals and catering companies.
Duty, Labeling Requirements
Retail-packed honey is charged a 12-percent import duty. Honey destined for industrial use is normally exempt from any duty, but the importer must obtain a waiver from Customs.
The Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) of the Ministry of Commerce imposes quality standards.
Honey entering the country must include labeling that indicates the product name, origin, weight, production and expiry dates and the importer and exporter.
Complete labeling requirements, hygienic regulations and definitions of honey are available from the following address:
Saudi Arabian Standards Organization
Director General Standards Dept.
Tel.: (966-1) 452-0000, ext. 1125
Fax: (966-1) 452-0167
________________________
The author is an agricultural marketing assistant with
FAS’ Agricultural Trade Office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tel.: (966-2) 661-2408; Fax: (966-2) 667-6196.
U.S. Honeybees Earn Their Keep
U.S. beekeepers have had their share of full bonnets in recent years--demand for honey in the United States is higher than ever, while pests and pesticides have taken their toll on domestic hives.
Estimates place 1997 U.S. honey production at 90,000 metric tons, with another 70,000 tons imported. Exports amounted to 4,300 tons. Nearly half of domestic honey consumption is for industrial use--as an ingredient in processed food products.
While generally recognized as a liability for hives, there are no statistics available on the toll taken on the honeybee population by general pesticide use.
Besides the pesticide problem, since the early 1980s beekeepers have contended with two different mite infestations in their hives--with occurrences in all states except Hawaii. The tracheal mite, detectable only by microscopic examination, kills off the entire hive. The varroa mite, visible externally, decreases the lifespan and productivity of its victim.
Beekeepers can treat their hives with FDA- and EPA-approved mite controls, but applications are expensive and must occur during the production off-season.
Though infestations can have devastating consequences for the hives, the bit of good news for consumers is that the product is not affected.
Flower Nectar Sets the Flavor
The old saying, "busy as a bee," accurately depicts the buzzing hive dwellers. The National Honey Board reveals some interesting facts that will help honey lovers savor their sweet treat: Bees can travel up to 55,000 miles and visit more than 2 million flowers to get enough nectar for a pound of honey.
The color of honey ranges from pale gold to dark brown, and the subtlety or boldness of its flavor, usually tied to the intensity of color, depends on where the bees buzzed.
The National Honey Board lists 300 unique honey flavors in the United States alone. Most common types: alfalfa, basswood, buckwheat, clover, eucalyptus, orange blossom, sage, tulip poplar and Tupelo.
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