One local beekeeper told Exit that he cautiously welcomes the news.
“It is good to have some regulation in the industry, particularly if we want to sell products to a wider market. I am just worried about those who may struggle to meet the financial demands of compliance,” he explained.
But another, with his hives near the Greek border, said the government have tried to simplify an issue that is not so straightforward.
“We will have to raise the price and scale down quantity since we will need more sales to cover costs. For me, it is better to stay informal and keep clients happy and have a more quality product until there are more solid financial bases in place.”
He continued that support from the government would be vital in bringing small-time producers in rural villages in line with the ambitious plans.
“Those elderly beekeepers selling honey by the road in plastic bottles- they could end up without their only source of income. They cannot afford to invest and take risks- we are living in a hard crisis,” he said.
In 2020, Albania experienced its best honey harvesting year on record. Beekeepers in the Morava region of the country told the media they had never seen a season like it in the last 50 years.
The Morava area produces tens of tonnes of honey every year, with varieties including white clover, chestnut, wild thyme, and rapeseed.
While several companies produce honey on an industrial scale for domestic consumption, the vast majority is made informally. Honey is purchased from family members, friends, and street and roadside vendors. It typically comes in reused glass jars or plastic bottles that once held Pepsi or water.
This mentality will be hard to change, and for producers, government support and investment will be crucial.
The authorities have also said that the law’s drafting has been done in line with European Union law. While the law is expected to pass in the coming weeks, further laws will need to be introduced, and there will be a two-year grace period before full implementation.
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