20 September
WHILE plum flowers are in full bloom in Kani Township, Sagaing Region, labor wages and input costs for relocating beehives have climbed up this season, according to beekeepers.
Normally, over 30 villages in Kani Township undertake honey production during the plum blossom season. But, bee business owners are spending more on workers’ wages and input costs this year compared to the previous year.
In the present production season, the wages of workers have risen to K6,000 per day, and the cost of renting a 17-feet vehicle is in the range of K280,000 per trip. Last year, the wages of workers were K4,000 per day and the rental rate for vehicles was K250,000 per trip, according to beekeeping business owners.
There are around 900 registered beekeepers in Myanmar. The country produces 7,000 tons of honey a year. It exports 2,400 tons of honey annually.
Myanmar honey is exported annually to the United States, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, and Japan. Beekeeping businesses could help reduce the poverty rate in rural areas by creating more job opportunities, said officials.
Myanmar produced 10,875.81 metric tons of honey in the past three fiscal years from 2013-2014 to 2015-2016, of which 8,471.24 metric tons was exported.
Win Oo (Zayar Tine)/ Ko Htet
(Translated by La Wonn)
