The problem of 'fake' honey mixed with authentic honey becoming more prevalent

In 2021, the worldwide honey market was valued at USD 8.17 billion and is anticipated to reach USD 12.69 billion by 2029, reflecting an annual compound growth rate of 5.83% from 2021 to 2029. The robust expansion in the sector is propelled by the increasing preference for organic, green products as sugar alternatives.

The Vietnam Beekeepers Association reports that the nation presently has about 40,000 beekeeping families and several honey processing and export enterprises. In 2021, Vietnam's honey output exceeded 50,000 tons per year, with exports constituting 90% of this total. Vietnamese honey companies are progressively solidifying their presence in countries such as the EU, Japan, and South Korea, demonstrating their capacity to comply with stringent export standards encompassing traceability and disease management.

The principal export market for Vietnamese honey is the United States. Nonetheless, anti-dumping duties in this market have profoundly affected local enterprises. Prior to the the levy of these duties, Vietnam exported an average of 56 million liters of honey to the U.S. each year; however, in 2022, the export volume decreased to around 16 million liters, and in the initial eight months of 2024, shipments are projected to be about 20 million liters.

Mr. Dinh Quyet Tam, Chairman of the Vietnam Beekeepers Association, claimed that the honey sector had substantial potential, yet faces considerable hurdles. The obstacles arise not just from anti-dumping tariffs but also from quality control issues, since counterfeit honey (honey derived from sugarcane) is becoming more widespread in conjunction with authentic honey. If regulatory authorities fail to solve this issue, the potential for fake honey being included into export shipments may result in severe repercussions, including the possibility of Vietnamese honey facing bans in other nations.

Identifying fake honey necessitates specialist equipment advanced technology, and a proficient team of professionals to guarantee precise results. Moreover, if the quality analysis outcomes vary between Vietnam and the EU, enterprises may have substantial challenges in raw material management.

Dr. Cord Lüllmann, Managing Director of QSI Bremen and Technical Director of the Tentamus Group, asserts that for Vietnam to enhance its export market, Quality Services International GmbH (QSI) and Tentamus Vietnam, a division of the Tentamus Group, have partnered to create and manage a specialized honey testing laboratory in Vietnam (QSI Vietnam) equipped with advanced technology, guaranteeing that test results in Vietnam are consistent with those from their laboratory in Germany.

Mr. Luong Phuoc Vinh, General Director of Tentamus Vietnam, asserted that for honey exports, enterprises must ensure the quality control of each batch of raw materials. Controlling the mixing of honey with sugar is a critical necessity, and expedited testing is essential to assist enterprises in making timely procurement decisions for raw materials. Nonetheless, dispatching samples to Europe for examination is impractical due to extended shipping durations and elevated expenses.

Therefore, the establishment of a honey testing laboratory in Vietnam, equipped with advanced technology akin to that found in German laboratories and staffed by a proficient team trained by QSI Bremen, will instill confidence in businesses regarding the consistency of raw material testing results that align with those for products exported to the EU, thereby reducing transportation expenses. Businesses may rely on the quality of raw materials in Vietnam, therefore improving their procurement capacity.

Moreover, exporting honey to the U.S. necessitates pollen analysis to confirm its geographical and botanical provenance. This parameter is presently testable just in Germany; however, Tentamus Vietnam intends to introduce this testing in Vietnam shortly