🇪🇹 Ethiopia → the world · via Kenya

Ethiopian Honey & Beeswax — Export Supply

Ethiopia is Africa's largest honey producer and one of the world's biggest beeswax exporters. Distinctive honeys include Tigray white honey (from Hareg flowers), southwestern forest honey (Bench Sheko, Sheka, Kaffa) and organic forest honeys collected from traditional and modern hives.

Request a quotation Order a sample

Overview

Main markets: EU (Germany, UK, Norway), USA, Saudi Arabia, Japan.

Types, grades & specifications

Typical specifications; exact parameters are confirmed per lot on the quotation, inspection report and certificate of analysis.

Type 1 of 2 · 🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Ethiopian Natural Honey (white / forest)

Raw, unblended honey; white crystallising honey and darker forest honey.

Sample: $5.50/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

Moisture	≤ 20%
HMF	≤ 40 mg/kg
Diastase	≥ 8 Schade
Residue tested (EU third-country listed)
Organic options

Type 2 of 2 · 🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Pure Yellow Beeswax

Refined natural beeswax for cosmetics, candles and pharmaceuticals.

Sample: $8.00/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

Melting point	61–66 °C
Acid value	17–24
Saponification value	87–104
Free from paraffin/adulterants

Producing regions in Ethiopia

Region	Notes
Tigray & Amhara highlands	White honey.
Southwest forests (Bench Sheko, Sheka, Kaffa)	Organic forest honey and beeswax.
Oromia	Largest honey-producing region.

Season

Main harvest: October–December and May–June.

Packaging

Honey: 300 kg drums (food-grade lined)
Beeswax: 25–50 kg slabs/blocks

Export routes

Addis Ababa → Djibouti port (rail & road): ~95% of Ethiopia's sea trade
Berbera (Somaliland) as alternative port
Addis Ababa → Moyale → Nairobi → Mombasa / Lamu: 5–7 days by road
Air: Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) — Ethiopian Cargo hub with global connections

Documents

Export permit / bank permit
Certificate of Origin (COMESA / general)
Phytosanitary certificate
ECTA coffee quality certificate
ECAE quality certificate (pulses, oilseeds)
Veterinary / health certificate (honey, leather)
Bill of Lading (Djibouti) or Air Waybill (ADD)

HS codes: 0409.00 (natural honey) · 1521.90 (beeswax)

Ethiopian exports are contracted with licensed exporters and require bank-registered sales contracts. Ethiopia promotes value addition in leather — crust and finished leather are preferred over raw and wet-blue hides. Coffee for the EU must meet EUDR traceability.

Buyer guides

Guides for importers

Sourcing Countries

Ethiopian Coffee, Sesame & Pulses Exporter Guide: How to Import from Ethiopia

Ethiopia's key export commodities, how its licensed exporter system works and how goods reach Djibouti or Mombasa.

Read guide →

Ready to import from Kenya?

Tell us the product, variety, quantity, Incoterm (FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP) and your destination port or airport. We reply with a formal quotation, usually within one business day.

Request a Quotation Order a Sample