UK Firm, Enters Contract With Dodoma’s Honey Processor To Export ‘Swahili Honey’ To UK Markets -

Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Femu Ltd, David Mukisa (L) exchanging documents with the CEO for the Dodoma- based Central Park Bees Ltd, Joseph Kadendula after signing a distributorship agreement for exportation of Tanzania’s honey to UK markets.

Under the contract, the company, Central Park Bees Limited (CPB) will export at least 5,800 tons of its popular natural sweet syrup product ‘ Swahili Honey’ to the UK markets

By Senior Reporter VALENTINE OFORO

FEMU Limited, a prominent UK based food importing company, has signed a strategic distributorship agreement with Central Park Bees Limited (CPB), to facilitate exportation of Tanzania’s honey to the United Kingdom.

The agreement has made the Dodoma- based giant honey producer company, popularly known for its flagship honey product, ‘ Swahili Honey’ becoming the first plant to export processed honey products into the UK markets.

Speaking during a brief signing ceremony, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Femu Ltd, Mr. David Mukisa expressed that the agreement targets to see the Dodoma- based company supplying at least ten percent of the UK’s annual honey imports, which currently stands at 58,000 tons.

He stated that the UK government’s recent policy allows Tanzania’s products to enter the market tax- free, and the UK’s annual honey imports are nearing 58,000 tons, saying Femu Ltd aims to secure a five percent share of the expanding market.

“This agreement is the culmination of efforts led by the government of Tanzania, supported by Tanzania High Commission in London and the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (Tantrade),” he expressed.

Mr Musika hailed President Samia Suluhu Hassan for opening up Tanzania’s products market in UK, as well as Tantrade to accelerate the Tanzania’s honey market abroad.

“We’re expecting to receive at least 5,800 tons of ‘Swahili Honey’ from the factory but the market is still wide for other local companies to supply their products to us,” he said.

He added: “This agreement is more than business deal, it is a commitment to promoting high- quality Tanzania honey and supporting local beekeepers livelihoods,”

“We hope it serve as a model for other companies aiming to expand into international markets, including the UK, china, the EU, and those covered under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),”

Femu Ltd previously signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tantrade under the Development Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) to promote Tanzanian products in UK, according to him.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Femu Ltd, David Mukisa (L) and the CEO for the Dodoma- based Central Park Bees Ltd, Joseph Kadendula signs a distributorship agreement for exportation of Tanzania’s honey to UK market

Speaking for his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Central Park Bees Ltd, Mr Joseph Kadendula, said the agreement is projected to play a meaningful role to help boosting the honey processing and exportation sectors in Tanzania.

He said his company is committed to supporting the initiatives by the government of Tanzania to enhance the beekeeping value chain.

“Tanzania is producing around 30,000 tones of honey annually, but only 10 percent of it is reaching to potential markets,” he informed.

As part of the first consignment to cater for the obtained huge market, Kadendula said the company will in the end of this month export at least 10 tons of ‘Swahili Honey’ to the UK.

” The target is to ensure we manage to export 10 percent of Tanzania’s honey production by 2028 in order to boost the economic prospects for local beekeepers and processors,” he stated.

He appreciated the concerted support the company has so far received from the government, and other players in the sector that enabled it to produce the best honey products that meet the set international standards.

He urged other local honey processors to make gainfully use of the vast UK honey markets.

“Central Park Bees Ltd dedication to improving the beekeeping sector aligns perfectly with Femu Ltd’s mission to export authentic, quality honey to UK consumers, benefiting from Tanzania’s rich natural resources,” he added.

The Acting Chairperson of the Tanzania Beekeeping Development Organization (TABEDO) Mr Kaizerege Camara, who witnessed the signing ceremony, said the development has opened a successful window for the local honey products to penetrate to the UK markets.

He hailed the UK based company, Femu for becoming the first foreign stakeholder to consider purchasing processed and packaged honey products from Tanzania.

“This contract will now enable Tanzania’s honey products to be marketed at the UK’s key supermarkets, the key development for the country’s apiculture sector in Tanzania,” he said .

The sealed contract, Camara detailed , will see both companies fostering further collaborations and stimulate growth in the agricultural trade sector, creating mutual benefits for both nations.