Beekeepers Submit Memorandum to Minister Demanding Ban on Honey Imports

The Federation of Nepal Beekeepers submitted a memorandum to Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Madan Prasad Pariyar on Sunday, demanding an immediate halt to honey imports.

The delegation, led by former president of the federation Shiva Prasad Sharma Paudel, reached the ministry at Singha Durbar and expressed strong objections to the government’s recent decision to allow multinational companies to import honey during Nepal’s honey production season.

Paudel said that permitting imports at a time when domestic honey is being harvested would discourage Nepali beekeepers and drive them away from the profession. He urged Minister Pariyar to withdraw the decision and instead focus on ensuring the proper marketing of locally produced honey.

During the meeting, beekeepers also demanded an increase in customs duties on imported honey, concessional loans for farmers, reliable insurance coverage, and electricity subsidies for irrigation purposes.

Read: Government Allows Dabur Nepal and Patanjali Nepal to Import Honey from Abroad

On October 13, Minister Pariyar held a discussion with representatives of multinational companies including Dabur Nepal and Patanjali, along with some farmer representatives, and decided to allow honey imports.

Minister Pariyar said that, as per the previous agreement, permission was granted only once to import up to 500 metric tons of raw honey — 125 metric tons at a time — while purchasing 100 metric tons from Nepali beekeepers. Under this arrangement, Dabur Nepal was allowed to import 125 metric tons and Patanjali 40 metric tons in the first phase.

He added that multinational companies had declined to buy mustard honey, citing quality concerns, but following his request, they agreed to purchase an additional 10 metric tons of Nepali mustard honey.

Minister Pariyar further stated that a committee had been formed to assess the current status of honey production, and its findings would determine whether future imports would be allowed.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Dr Govinda Prasad Sharma said that the previous import decision had been made in the presence of farmer representatives, and future decisions would also be made in consultation with the federation. He emphasized that the move was based on prior agreements and should not be misinterpreted.-- RSS