Uraia Waibuta. Photo: Jona konataci
Honey shortage is noted to have been due to the weather pattern in recent times but should normalise in due time.
MARAIA VULA
SUVA
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture deputy secretary for Agriculture Development Uraia Waibuta following enquiries about the commodity’s shortage recently.
Mr Waibuta said the shortage of honey has been around since February until now but “we hope that it recovers come November/December.
“The shortage is related to the current weather pattern that we have been facing for the last few months,” Mr Waibuta said.
“We fully understand that the prolonged wet season is not suitable for honey production that is the very reason why the shortage is being realised and this point in time,” he said.
Fiji Beekeepers Association president John Lewis said: “The shortage is momentary as honey flow is starting up as I have been getting reports from bee keepers in Rakiraki, Lautoka, Sigatoka and Labasa.
“Usually it takes one month for the follow up and we expect to harvest by end of May. New beehives will help the increase the amount of honey available.
“There will be no changes to the prices of honey as we expecting it to come down as soon as supply is normal,” he added.
Mr Waibuta highlighted Fiji’s total production demand was around 215 tonnes of honey produced by local farmers particularly for the local market. This has been consistent for the last few years.
“This year we hope through some extension approaches and agriculture assistance will be able to lift the production to at least 300 tonnes this year. That is the target that we have for honey and we have already established about 500 new beehives.
“Through the new beehives come November and December we should see honey get back to production but provided the weather is suitable. If the rain continues than definitely there will be a shortage of honey supply.”
Already about 10,000 hives has been established around Fiji honey is being produced by around 1,000 farmers.
maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj