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| GI for honey: J&K sleeps, Punjab, TN make money | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, May 12: The honey produced in Jammu and Kashmir is believed to be one of the best and ‘most expensive’ in the world –rated at around Rs 1000/kg in international market –but what is exported out of India is actually a product of other states sold with a fake tag –courtesy the official slackness as no Geographical Indication (GI) has been obtained from Jammu and Kashmir honey.
Honey exporters of Punjab and Tamil Nadu have been alleged of selling inferior quality honey under the brand name ‘Kashmir’ similar to Jammu and Kashmir honey. While government is yet to act, some Kashmiri apiculturists have demanded legal action against the ‘brand theft’.
It may mentioned here that Jammu and Kashmir produces plenty of high quality honey. Besides Kashmir Valley, the districts of Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar are known for high production of honey. However, there are no proper marketing and promotion facilities.
Apiculturists have alleged that a Punjab-based exporter, Kashmir Apiaries Exports, a leading honey producer in India, has been selling honey extracted from Punjab and elsewhere under the brand ‘Kashmir’ to European and Middle-East countries. The company has gone so far as keeping its web domain as www.kashmirhoney.com, which could mislead a foreign buyer into buying inferior quality honey instead of the original Kashmir-honey.
The company under the tag Kashmir Apiaries is already exporting processed honey to 45 countries, mostly in Europe, Mideast and US and is expected to touch a turnover of Rs 360 crore in coming fiscal against Rs 196 crore last year.
70,000 tonnes of honey are produced in India every year, of which 25,000 tonnes is exported. Punjab’s contribution to the honey exports is around 5,500 tonnes, of which 3,000 tons, worth US$ 3 million is exported to U.S., UK, Europe and West Asia.
Although, the Punjab-based honey exporter claims to be collecting honey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Kashmiri bee keepers belie the claim saying that the exporter is cheating buyers by mixing Kashmir honey with significantly large volumes of honey produced from other States.
A Chennai-based honey exporter ‘Lion KASHMIR Honey’ claims to meet international standards, with permission of government of India with Kashmir Status.
However, since no GI has been granted to Kashmir-honey, such claims by manufacturers are baseless. A proposal has already been sent to the Ministry of Food Processing and as soon as Kashmir-honey is granted a GI status, a campaign will be launched against all such parties.
Kashmir-honey is unique because it is produced from wild trees – about 90% from Acacia trees (commonly known as Kikar) and the remaining 10% from wild flowers. The honey produced in other states comes either from Poplar trees or Mustard plants. Moreover, Kashmir-honey is a fertilizer and pesticide-free product, and its glucose and fructose content is several times higher that the honey produced in other parts of the world.
According to an expert, Kashmir honey has often been compared with American Water White Honey and if the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards are maintained, a kg of Kashmir honey would sell for more than Rs 1000 in the international market.
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