Honey market, 20% richer in 2003

Romanian honey production is expected to reach 15 -16,000 tonnes this year, up about 20% from the 13,434 tonnes last year, according to Agriculture Ministry data. Total market is worth approximately $37.5 – $40 million. There are more than 80,000 producers at the moment, mostly individuals and a number of 26 processors. “Out of the total 781,000 bee families in Romania at the moment, only 6,000 are still state-held, while the rest belong to private producers. This sector has been supported by the State every year; we allotted 100,000 ROL out of 60bn ROL for every bee family in 2002 on condition that the producer should supply 10 kg of honey to processors. This year’s budget-paid subsidy reaches 20bn ROL,” said Petre Nicolae, director within the Agriculture Ministry. An apiary usually comprises 22 bee families. ZF