In a bid to reduce Nigeria's strong reliance on imported honey, the Executive Director of Honeyz Depot, Maryam Mahmud, has announced plans to increase local honey production to five tonnes by 2026 and 20 tonnes annually by 2030.

Mahmud disclosed this on Sunday while speaking with Arewa PUNCH in Ilorin, noting that the expansion initiative forms part of wider efforts to improve domestic supply and narrow the significant gap between national demand for honey and local output.

She stated that Honeyz Depot's production strategy would integrate company-owned anchor apiaries with a structured outgrower beekeeper network, a framework aimed at scaling up supply while ensuring strict adherence to quality standards.

"The initiative is strategically positioned to reduce Nigeria's reliance on imported honey and strengthen local capacity within the apiculture value chain," she said.

Continuing, she explained that "Industry data indicate that Nigeria's honey market was valued at about $63.21m in 2024, driven by rising demand from the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care sectors.

"Despite this, local production accounts for less than 10 per cent of national consumption, creating a large import gap estimated to cost the country over $2bn annuallyx she added.

Mahmud stressed that the planned scale-up would not only consolidate Honeyz Depot's leadership in Kwara State but also contribute meaningfully to national efforts at import substitution in the agricultural sector.

Mahmud, who also doubles as the lead beekeeper, highlighted that she personally supervises the production process to ensure quality, traceability, and consistency across the value chain.

Speaking on the expansion trend, she disclosed that the company's experience in distribution revealed the scale of unmet demand for quality honey in the country.

The ED pointed out that the expansion is expected to generate employment, support rural livelihoods, improve pollination services, and promote sustainable agricultural practices in host communities across the country.

"Our walk-in store, before its temporary shutdown, and our distribution network have consistently shown the growing demand for quality honey. This next phase allows us to control production, ensure traceability, and scale responsibly to meet market needs," she said.

Area PUNCH further reports that Honeyz Depot, regarded as Kwara State's largest honey distributor and operator of the state's only exclusive walk-in honey store, has dominated honey distribution in the state for the past five years.

The company began honey production three years ago and is now preparing to transition to semi-commercial operations.