Press Release
First Honey Processing and Packaging Facility in Eastern Afghanistan Opens
Jalalabad, Afghanistan
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Saturday, April 25, 2009
On April 25, the first honey processing and packaging plant in eastern Afghanistan began operations. This facility will play a vital role in the development of the beekeeping sector in Afghanistan. With modern honey processing capabilities, Afghan honey producers will be able to market and sell consistently high-quality honey to new domestic and international markets. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported the establishment of the honey facility through financial and technical assistance to the Nangarhar Beekeeper Association.
The facility will benefit almost 500 honey producers and beekeepers throughout eastern Afghanistan and will process 800 kg of honey per day. It also has the capacity to expand production when demand for Afghan honey increases. Collection centers in each eastern province will channel raw honey to the new facility, where it will be processed and packaged in accordance with international food safety standards.
Prior to the establishment of the honey facility, most raw honey produced in the region was exported to Pakistan, where it was processed and sold as a product of that country. That arrangement denied Afghan entrepreneurs the opportunity to produce an export-ready product labeled ‘made in Afghanistan.’ Now, Afghanistan will be better positioned to export directly to end-market countries, facilitating trade opportunities and economic growth.
President of the Nangarhar Beekeeper Association Riaz Mohammad said, “The establishment of the honey processing and packaging facility in the region has solved our processing and packaging problems. Honey produced in [the] eastern region will have a good market…inside and outside the country after being properly processed and packed. This will help grow business and will encourage more people to invest in the beekeeping sector, creating many new job opportunities in the region.”