Honey exports from Punjab on decline
Vijay C Roy
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 14
With exporters shifting to Delhi, the export of natural honey from Punjab is continuously declining despite high productivity and as a result its share in total honey exports from the country is also witnessing a negative trend. From 51% share in exports in 2011-12, its share has come down to 19% in 2015-16. India exported 38,177 metric tonnes of honey in 2015-16, while exports from Punjab were to the tune of 7,181 metric tonnes.
However, on the contrary, the share of Delhi in honey exports is on an upward trend. In 2011-12, Delhi’s share was 40%, which has increased to 59% in 2015-16. According to sources, though Delhi does not produce honey, there are number of aggregators in Delhi, which procure honey from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and then export it to other countries.
According to the data, almost 99% of the honey is exported from Inland Container Depot (ICD), Ludhiana. The major export markets are the US, Middle-East and Morocco. The sources said many of the corporate houses having units in Punjab are exporting honey from Delhi and as a result Punjab’s share has gone down.
There are almost 33,000-35,000 beekeepers in Punjab alone. The average honey yield in Punjab is 25-30 kg per bee colony per annum as compared to average national yield of 15.32 kg per colony per annum.
“The annual production of the honey is around 15,000 tonnes and the major chunk is exported to other countries. The Punjab Government has done exceptional well in promoting the bee keeping. Besides other measures, the state has waived VAT on honey, which has led to increase in production,” said Dr PK Chhuneja, professor, PAU.
