Victor Mateş, Apidava: Foreign demand for honey is on the rise

• Sales of Apidava increased to EUR 4,400,000 in 2009

Foreign demand for honey and other beekeeping products continues to grow, said Victor Mateş, general manager of Apidava. He said that domestic sales would increase this year, while exports would increase depending on beekeeper output for this year, "because even if output doubled, there would still be demand for it". Last year, Romanian honey production was 15,000-17,000 tons, according to estimates by the Apidava representative.

The company has not been affected by the recession, as its turnover increased from 3,715,000 Euros in 2008, to 4,400,000 Euros in 2009, thanks to the increase in foreign and domestic demand, which it was able to meet since beekeepers increased their output.

The company"s exports remained at their 2008 level, meaning they only accounted for 28% of the total sales, but this was offset by increased domestic demand.

This year, Victor Mateş expects the company"s sales to remain at their 2009 levels.

Apidava exports honey to Europe (England, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Poland), Asia (Singapore and Japan), America (Toronto and Quebec in Canada, and New York - in the USA).

Last year, the company launched the 15 gram honey stick for tea and coffee, which Victor Mateş expects to become popular in 2010.

"We intend to launch two or three new products, but we can"t be certain if they would be successful enough if mass produced, since they need preparation and long term testing (6-12 months), as well as financial support", the Apidava official said.

In 2009, the company"s best selling product was polyfloral honey, which accounted for 50% of the company"s sales.

This year the company will invest EUR 150,000 in equipment, in order to increase its output capacity.

Apidava is a company in which a 40% stake is owned by foreign investors. Its domestic market share is 40%. Its main customers are cash&carry chains, hypermarkets and discount stores, as well as several hotels.

The company sells several types of honey, as well as other beekeeping products such as pollen, propolis, royal jelly, bee bread and bee venom.