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Bitter-sweet honey exports
The EU’s strict ban on honey imports from Vietnam has caused huge losses for domestic businesses.
The EU decided not import honey from Vietnam as it was up to food hygiene and safety standards.
In late 2011, the US refused to import nearly 600 tons of Vietnamese honey after detecting some Carbendazim residue in the product.
Throughout 2012, Vietnam’s honey exports to the US market almost grounded to a halt.
The US is too strict on Carbendazim—a fungicide—in honey and its associated products while global standards accept a maximum Carbendazim content of 0.01 mg/kg as having no harmful effects on human health.
In order to approach the EU and US markets all honey suppliers have to meet residue control requirements.
After a country’s plan is approved by the EU, there will be constant monitoring of its whole residue control system and exporters will have to report to the EU annually.
The criteria for exports to the EU market are related to safety, quality, a system for tracing origins, and the requirements of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards.
If any problem is detected, the offending exporter’s honey products will be immediately removed from the EU supply chain.
General Statistics Office (GSO) figures show Vietnam’s honey output has gradually increased from 9,960 tonnes in 2008 to 11,549 tonnes in 2009, 11,944 tonnes in 2010, and 11,904 in 2011.
Vietnam’s is now the world’s sixth largest honey exporter but ranks second in Asia.
In 2011, the country produced more than 30,000 tonnes of apicultural products like honey and pollen, mostly for export and earned as much as US$80 million.
Confronted with major market trade barriers like those in the US, Vietnamese businesses are seeking new export markets in Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Africa.
Under Decision No 2011/163/EU issued in March 2013 which covers the residue control systems for plant and animal products imported into the EU from third-party countries, Vietnam needs to ensure all honey products exported to the EU market meet EU safety and hygiene standards.
While the latest decision is considered a boon for the domestic apicultural sector, honey exporters have yet to overcome US barriers.
Apart from its ban on Carbendazim residue, the US recently warned China against exporting honey through a third country to the US in an attempt to conceal its genuine product and evade taxes.
As many honey products sold in the US market are found to contain poisonous impurities such as lead, heavy metals, Chloraphenicol, and antibiotics, it is imperative to strictly control honey import- export deals with China to protect the reputation of Vietnamese honey trademarks.
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