Only by ensuring product traceability and maintaining proper records that document the production process can Vietnamese honey make steady progress in reaching global markets. Only then can it be exported to even the most demanding countries.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam is one of the world’s top ten honey producers. The annual output of Vietnam’s honey reaches about 64,000 tons. However, whether it is a liter or just a single drop of honey, once its orientation for export it must comply with numerous regulations.
Current honey export regulations in many countries are extremely stringent in terms of phytosanitary controls. They also impose strict requirements on food safety and quality management, as well as traceability.
Vietnamese honey
One reason for these strict requirements is that some global markets have detected the presence of heavy metals in Vietnamese honey. This contamination may occur unintentionally, because even in natural beekeeping conditions, foraging areas can be vailable near factories. As a result, bees may be exposed to metal-contaminated food sources.
Europe countries require Vietnamese honey to carry clear origin labeling. This is necessary to ensure authenticity, enable traceability, and prevent commercial fraud. Regarding SPEC requirements—technical specifications—any organization that provides certification standards to honey producers must also supply full and transparent information. This ensures that producers clearly understand and properly comply with those standards. Vietnamese honey companies should share this information with trading partners to meet traceability requirements.
According to experts, a key drawback of Vietnamese honey is its high moisture content. Meanwhile, the application of modern technology and machinery in honey processing and preliminary treatment has so far been available by only a limited number of enterprises and cooperatives.
Therefore, most Vietnamese honey exports are still in raw form, generating low economic value of less than USD 4 per kilogram. This situation has also led to the fact that foreign distributors purchase Vietnamese honey. Then, they processed further using advanced technology, relabeled, and exported back to Vietnam at much higher prices.
Coffee honey from Vietnam
Conversely, some Vietnam’s honey producers have already invested in fermented honey products. However, most of them have not tested microbial levels after completing the fermentation process, yet still label their products as “probiotic.” There have been no thorough studies analyzing harmful microorganisms such as E. coli, Salmonella, Botulinum, or Staphylococcus aureus.
In addition, heavy metals and the transformation of honey into other compounds during fermentation have not been fully examined. Meanwhile, in global markets, even fermented honey products are supported by clear scientific evidence addressing these issues.
The Department of Livestock Production (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) notes that the honey export market is highly competitive. Moreover, anti-dumping measures are common in some countries, especially the United States.
Therefore, market diversification is essential to avoid overdependence. This is particularly important because about 90% of Vietnam’s honey production is for export, and more than 90% of those exports go to the U.S. market. Recently, exports to this market have declined mainly due to high import tariffs.
To diversify markets, understanding the preferences and demand of each country is a key factor. For example, while South Korea and China do not favor crystallized honey, European and U.S. markets prefer it.
Vietnamese honey bees
When exporting honey to certain Halal markets, Vietnamese honey enterprises also need to be aware that bees are inherently pollinators. As a result, honey is not a vegan product, since honey harvesting involves the labor and health of bees. The process can cause stress and injury to bees. In some cases, bees may be killed to control colonies or optimize honey yields. Therefore, understanding animal characteristics and cultural considerations is also a way to open market access for honey products.
Although Vietnam’s honey exports have made steady progress, they still face many challenges. Among them, food safety, residue levels, and compliance with international standards are critical issues that must be effectively addressed. Only when these problems are resolved can Vietnam’s beekeeping industry develop sustainably.
Cooperatives and enterprises should note that only transparent documentation, solid scientific research, and clear certifications can convince importers. Therefore, there is no alternative but to organize production in a way that ensures honey products placed on the market are fully traceable in terms of origin.
Vietnamese source: https://doanhnghieptiepthi.vn/de-mat-ong-rong-duong-xuat-khau-161241224154811992.htm