Requirements for exporting honey to an E.U.
country
THE PRODUCT:

Interesting taste

Good quality

Sufficient quantity

(Fair trade or Organic certified?
Or an interesting story behind the
product)
THE EXPORT STRUCTURE:

Well organised, reliable, efficient
and easy to communicate with;

Able to collect sufficient
quantities and cope with
increasing demand;

Financial capital to pay for honey;
documents; transport; extra costs;

Appropriate storage facilities;

Access to appropriate containers
for package and shipment;

Linked to government authority
and other exporters involved in the
Residue Monitoring Plan
Rebecca Howard
Tropical Forest Products
2006
European and National standards
within importing country for
honey:

Sugar content

Moisture content

Water insoluble solids content

Acidity

Diastase

HMF
(See legislation)
National Residue Monitoring Plan:

Competent authority (government)

Exporters association

Capital to finance sample analyses

Appropriate system in place to ensure
implementation of the plan

Plan submitted by end of March each year
Time delay :
Danger of rising HMF?
Will there be cashflow problems
during delay between shipment and
final payment?
THE BUYER:

What quantity is required and how
often? E.g. minimum full
container of 18 tonnes, or
minimum 100 tonnes per year)

Is the buyer interested in a long-
term partnership or is this just a
one-off opportunity?

What price is being offered?

What is the contract for shipping
and payment? (free on board or
carriage and freight)

What are the packaging
requirements? (bulk or detail;
metal or plastic drums; new or
coated?)

Does the buyer have his own
standards which are more stringent
that E.U. /national standards

Does the honey need to be Fair
Trade or Organic certified?