INTRODUCTION

Expertise France is the French agency for international technical cooperation, and it’s a member of the AFD Group (French Development Agency). As the second largest development agency in Europe, it designs and implements international cooperation projects that aim to strengthen public policies sustainably in key areas of development. Together with its partners, it contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Expertise France, in collaboration with ZimTrade, is implementing a project aimed at strengthening the honey value chain sector in Zimbabwe and is recruiting a consultant to conduct research on honey and its derivatives' niche markets and training on market access and regulatory compliance for honey and derivative products in the EU and GCC markets.

The ZimBEE Project aims to boost the competitiveness and export readiness of Zimbabwe’s honey and derivative products (e.g., beeswax, propolis, royal jelly). While the EU and GCC markets offer lucrative opportunities, complex legislative and regulatory frameworks act as barriers to market entry. There is a need to conduct in-depth research on these frameworks and deliver tailored training to equip producers, processors, and exporters with practical knowledge on how to access and comply with these markets.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Zimbabwe’s apiculture sector holds significant potential for export growth. However, limited market intelligence and compliance with international regulatory requirements hinder access to high-value markets, particularly in the European Union (EU) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This research will guide exporters, producers, and policymakers on requirements, opportunities, and gaps for enhancing honey and derivative product competitiveness in these markets

The ZimBEE project aims to contribute to the sustainable development of the honey value chain, unlocking its potential for a) reducing vulnerabilities among rural populations and b) generating exports of higher value-added products. Implemented by Expertise France in collaboration with ZimTrade, the project covers three apicultural clusters comprising 455 producers and is structured around three components:

• Strengthening the capacities of ZimTrade and other stakeholders
• Establishing a “Center of Excellence” for honey research, studies, and analysis, and
• ZimTrade will oversee the restructuring of the apiculture sector, with a particular emphasis on women, to enhance the sector's overall efficiency.

Expected Project Impact:

• Improvements in living conditions for populations in the three beneficiary clusters:
• 455 honey producers adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly beekeeping practices through training and the provision of equipment, leading to improved living conditions through increased incomes.
• Additionally, honey production in the three clusters increases in both quantity and quality, with new markets and derivative products being developed, thereby fostering diversification of local production. This diversification contributes to the creation of decent jobs within the three beneficiary clusters.

A core pillar of the project is the economic empowerment of women through enhanced participation in beekeeping activities and improved access to productive resources, services, and markets, in line with ADR principles.