Ethiopia is a leading honey producer in Africa, possessing millions of beehives across the country. However, within each hive lies another valuable product that has long been overlooked—beeswax.
For many beekeepers, wax was traditionally considered waste because the income from it was too low to justify the effort of collecting and selling it. Beekeeper Vasihun Temesgen noted: 'It was very cheap, and we often threw it away because the price didn't justify the effort of bringing it to market. But now it is no less important than honey. We collect it and store it carefully, and in some cases, it brings us additional income, even more than honey. Previously, we sold a kilogram of wax for 200–300 Birr; now it is over 1500 Birr ($9.35), depending on the quality.'
The rise in the price of beeswax is due to increased domestic demand. The product, which was previously used mainly for export, is increasingly being applied in Ethiopia's domestic industries, including soap, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical production.
Wax producer Tesfai Bae stated: 'Previously, local use of wax was minimal; it was only exported. But now domestic demand is growing significantly as it is used for making soap, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This demand has reached an industrial scale.'
Despite the growing interest, the beeswax sector in Ethiopia remains largely underdeveloped. The country produces about 5,000 tons of beeswax annually, but market data shows that only a small portion reaches international markets.
Under the government initiative 'Yelemat Tirufat,' which means 'Basket Abundance,' launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed four years ago, Ethiopia has expanded the use of modern beehives, more than doubling their number and increasing production capacity for honey and beeswax.
Agricultural sector employees assert that the transition from traditional to modern beekeeping methods is key to unlocking the potential of this sector. Zigereda Fekadu, an advisor to the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized: 'We produce a significant amount of beeswax for both domestic and export use. But we can produce even more by transforming traditional hives into modern ones, which increases the amount of beeswax. Although we prioritize honey production, we also support beeswax.'
Thanks to improved beekeeping practices, growing domestic demand, and increased production capacity, Ethiopia hopes that beeswax will become an increasingly important part of its agricultural economy, strengthening its position in the global honey and beeswax market.