Identification of Factors Affecting Sustainable Smallholder Honey Production and Export Performance Across the Value Chain in Addis Ababa

Abstract

Research shows a frustrating paradox in Ethiopia's honey sector.  The beekeeping industry faces challenges exporting products because of climate stressors, poor processing, traceability issues, and fragmented markets. The paper introduces the Sustainability-Trade Barrier-Economic Constraint Model (STB-ECM), which helps to analyze the beekeeping industry through multiple lenses, including environmental, social, and economic factors, as well as the trade barriers and economic bottlenecks that limit international market access. The literature review and initial assessments identified thirty factors and narrowed them down to 16 key factors using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM). The analysis revealed that export price stagnation stems from increasing domestic consumption, adulteration, illegal trade, and inconsistent eco-friendly processing.  The lack of credit access and processing capacity due to economic constraints hinders international expansion. The framework provides analysis and practical solutions to promote fair trade, sustainability, improved market access, and global competitiveness. The paper integrates these methodologies to guide policymakers and identify opportunities to foster sustainable growth in honey exports.

Keywords: Honey Production; Export Performance; Sustainability Factors; Apicultural Value Chain; Trade Barrier; Export Policies; Sustainability-driven Policies.

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/16-3-07

Publication date: May 30th 2025