Ukrainian beekeepers cannot agree with exporters.

Beekeepers refuse to give Ukrainian honey for export because of the low price. Honey producers are waiting for the best offer. The discussion on the export of honey unfolded at the Golden Apiary conference in Nikolaev, where about 200 beekeepers from all over the country gathered. Head of the Ukrpcheloprom Association Valery Dombrovsky says that the policy of low prices negatively affects Ukrainian beekeeping. “I understand the exporters. And if they do not fulfill the contracts, Ukraine may fall out of the world market. But Ukraine is steadily holding the first place in Europe for the production of honey. And what honey! ”

The specialist believes that the problem arose due to the discrepancy between price and quality. Ukrainian producers have to underestimate the quality of their honey.

“Such sunflower honey as in Ukraine is nowhere to be found. The diastase number is from 20 to 50, the humidity level is 17-21, ”says the expert.

The diastatic number, which Dombrowski speaks about, is the main indicator of the naturalness and maturity of honey. The higher it is, the better honey. The number decreases from heating, as well as over time. Already in the first year it can drop by a third, and in the second one by another half. But if the diastase number is greater than at least 12, it can be safely stored for 2 years. And if less than 7, then it’s better not to pay at all - this is not considered honey.

“And we are offered to underestimate the performance of our super-standard. They say set the diastase number to 5, and the humidity to 25. This is not honey anymore, but sugar syrup! We have an agreement with the European Union on a free trade zone. How many took out, so much will be delivered. That is, we will take out honey with diastasis of 20-25, and in exchange we will get syrup. ”