Lusaka, Zambia 3rd Sep 2010 (ABN) – Zambia is in the next five years expected to increase its exports of honey to United States and European markets, a Zambian based organization Agri-Business Forum has stated.

A prediction in the increase comes as Zambia’s export earnings from honey this year are showing signs of surging to over US 4.8 million dollars, a figure which is much higher than the previous years.

Zambia exports 1,200 tonnes of quality honey to the United States and European markets annually.

“Zambian honey producers anticipate an increase to 5,000 tonnes of honey in the coming five years,” said Felix Chizyuka, a chief executive of Agri-Business Forum in an interview in Lusaka.

Mr. Chizyuka sentiments also come ahead of a second ApiTrade Africa exposition 2010 to be held in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka next month from 26 to 29 whose theme is the Role of Bee-Keeping in Attaining Food Security in Africa.

ApiTrade Africa is a regional organization specialized in the promotion of Africa’s agricultural sectors and aims to attract global attention to the sectors through an all-Africa expo event.

Honey bees contributes over US 200 billion dollars to the global economy through crop pollination, production of honey and other bee products which are marked widely and globally.

“Though Africa’s share of this lucrative sector hoovers is only at around one percent, this is because of poor appreciation of agriculture sectors as economic enterprises which can contribute to cash and food of African people,” said Bosco Okello, a chief officer of ApiTrade Africa.

Agri-business experts see this event as one of Africa’s opportunity to benefit economically given its vast natural vegetation and health bee population emphasizing that striving to enhance seed regulation and improving seed productivity of the industry through supporting tree production might increase nectar for honey.

ApiTrade Africa is also involved in the brokering of business deals involving African honey exporters and Irish honey importers.

The first expo was last held in Kampala, Uganda in 2008.