According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), while annual worldwide production of honey, propolis, and beeswax continues to increase, demand remains substantially in excess of supply. Furthermore, Sub-Saharan Africa produces only 9.8% of the world’s honey and 23.5%of the world’s beeswax. Exports from Sub-Saharan Africa are considerably less than imports. Somalia has an even more glaring shortfall. Modern commercial production of honey in Somalia/Somaliland is non-existent.
This market analysis identifies factors influencing the profitability of the honey business in Somalia. While the analysis focuses on Somaliland, the factors apply to all regions of Somalia. The framework for the analysis is an augmented form of Michael Porter’s “five forces model” with the introduction of a sixth set of forces comprising complements that support the market segment.