Central Myanmar’s annual honey production reaches 300 tonnes, 2/3 exported to Asia

Central Myanmar annually produces 300 tonnes of honey, with two-thirds of this sum being exported to Japan, China, South Korea, and Thailand, according to the Apiculture Development Division (Nay Pyi Taw) at the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.
The honey varieties are diverse, encompassing plum honey, sunflower honey, and multi-floral honey.
Private farms in Magway Region yield about 200 tonnes yearly, with local consumption reaching nearly 100 tonnes yearly.
An official at the division explained: “Our experts visit beekeepers to assess the readiness of colonies and hives for honey collection. When deemed ripe, an opening is carefully carved at the tip of the honeycomb, delicately removing the beeswax.”
The division provides training courses to local communities to enhance honey collection efficiency.
The official added: “We put each cell into the specialized machine to ensure a clean and high-quality product. We aim to educate and empower farmers to produce superior honey.”
Magway is the heart of honey production in central Myanmar, hosting six township-level farms and 78 private beekeepers managing over 13,000 hives.
Sesame honey and plum honey constitute 60 per cent of the annual production, followed by sunflower honey at 30 per cent and multi-floral honey at 10 per cent. Sunflower honey commands the highest price in foreign exports. — ASH/NT