Addis Ababa, July 20, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia produced 326,000 tons of honey during the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year (2024/25), under the national Bounty of the Basket (YeLemat Trufat) initiative, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Fikru Regasa, State Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Development, told Fana Digital that the program has played a pivotal role in enhancing honey production nationwide by prioritizing productivity and modernizing apiculture practices.
The initiative exceeded its original target, distributing 2.6 million modern beehives—well above the planned 2.135 million—to transition producers from traditional to modern methods, he asserted.
The State Minister emphasized that Bounty of the Basket has catalyzed not just increased output but a change in mindset among honey producers, yielding improved quality and sustainability in the sector.
According Actualto him, actual production surpassed projections, totaling 326,000 tons versus the planned 296,000 tons.
Ethiopia remains the top honey producer in Africa and ranks among the top ten producers globally, owing to its favorable climate, rich biodiversity, and a long-standing tradition of apiculture.
Launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Bounty of the Basket initiative is a flagship national agricultural development strategy aimed at boosting productivity across key food and livestock sectors, including honey, dairy, poultry, eggs, fish, and meat.
The program prioritizes improved livelihoods, food self-sufficiency, and market-oriented production, while promoting modernization and knowledge transfer in rural communities.