France main sales market for Moldovan honey

Chisinau, July 6 /MOLDPRES/ – France is the main sales market for Moldovan honey, with an annual consumption of 35 thousand tons, of which about 24 thousand are imported, said authors of a market study, conducted at an request by the Moldova Investment and Export Promotion Organization (MIEPO). 

The study was developed with the support of the DCFTA  (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement) Implementation Support Project in Moldova and presents the consume–purchase habits, price trends and major import and distribution networks and payment terms in France. The document also describes procedures for certification, customs, transport, requirements for residues and contaminants, marketing and labeling, developments of the international market and imports.  

According to MIEPO Director Vitalie Zaharia, “honey is the only product that has been exported to the European Union in substantial quantities and meets the EU sanitary requirements.” 

The main European countries exporting honey to France are Belgium, Spain, Germany, Italy, Poland, while the main competitor of the Moldovan honey on the French market is Chile. 

The survey also indicates that 52 per cent of French consumers purchase honey from supermarkets, and 48 per cent from the beekeeper’s shop. Consequently, the study authors recommend the Moldovan beekeepers to develop a national brand, that will contribute to getting higher prices and avoid mixing of products when sold to wholesalers. At the same time, the most active period of consumption represent the period from January to March and October to December, when prices are higher too. 

According to the survey, although customs procedures have been simplified and certification tariffs cut, the number of authorized honey exporters in Moldova is pretty small and amounts to 18 companies, due to the lack of a steady and stable supply, good quality infrastructure, sectoral support, etc. 

MIEPO data shows that Moldova exported honey worth up to 9.5 million dollars in 2014. Almost 30 per cent of exported honey goes to France and 23 per cent – to Germany. 

(Reporter A. Mardare, editor L. Alcaza)