Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormShelf-stable (liquid/creamed/comb)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product (Apiculture)
Raw Material
Market
Sri Lanka is a net importer of natural honey (HS 040900), with 2024 imports recorded at about USD 280.29k (126,861 kg) and sourcing led by India and China. Exports from Sri Lanka appear small in UN Comtrade/WITS partner data, indicating limited export role relative to imports. Market access risk is heavily shaped by Sri Lanka’s packaged-food labelling rules (Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2022, effective 1 Jan 2024) and import shelf-life controls for imported foods. Domestic beekeeping development is supported through Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture bee development services, but trade data suggests imported supply is material to formal market flows.
Market RoleNet importer with domestic production presence
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market supplemented by imports (formal trade dominated by imports in UN Comtrade/WITS)
Specification
Physical Attributes- Buyer acceptance commonly considers clarity/absence of visible contamination, color (varies widely by floral source), and crystallization state; claims must align with declared style/origin on label.
Compositional Metrics- Common quality parameters referenced in Codex honey standard include moisture content, sugars profile (fructose/glucose predominance), HMF/heat impact indicators, and contaminants/residue limits where applicable.
Packaging- Retail packs should be tamper-evident and carry multilingual labelling (Sinhala, Tamil, English) with importer details and country-of-origin declarations as required under Sri Lanka’s Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2022.
- Bulk packs intended for repacking should maintain batch identification and traceability to support required declarations after repacking (e.g., repacking date where applicable).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Domestic: beekeepers → extraction/straining → packing/labeling → wholesale/retail distribution
- Imports: exporter/packer → sea freight (typical) → customs handling/warehouse → label compliance (if needed prior to clearance) → importer distribution → retail
Temperature- Avoid excessive heat exposure during storage and transport to prevent quality deterioration (Codex honey standard discourages processing that impairs composition/quality).
Shelf Life- Sri Lanka’s Food (Shelf Life of Imported Food Items) Regulations require imported food to have a minimum remaining (unexpired) shelf-life at the point of entry; shipment planning should account for this constraint.
- Sri Lanka’s labelling regulations restrict import/sale of packaged foods unless labelled in accordance with the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations (effective 1 Jan 2024).
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with Sri Lanka’s Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2022 (effective 1 Jan 2024) and import shelf-life controls can block or delay market entry for packaged honey. Requirements include common name in bold type in Sinhala, Tamil and English, importer name/address and country of origin for imported foods, and adherence to imported-food shelf-life rules at point of entry.Pre-approve label artwork against Gazette 2319/40 requirements; plan shelf-life buffers; where needed, apply compliant supplementary labels before customs clearance in Customs-authorized warehousing workflows.
Documentation Gap MediumSri Lanka’s DAPH requires import permits for animals/animal products under the Animal Diseases Act; if honey is treated within the relevant animal-product category for import control, missing permits or unmet health requirements can cause detention or refusal.Confirm HS 0409 honey’s permit pathway with DAPH before shipment and align shipment documents to the applicable DAPH category guidance.
Food Safety MediumHoney is globally exposed to authenticity (adulteration) and residue/compliance risks; buyers and regulators may expect conformity to Codex honey definitions and quality factors, and residue limits where applicable.Use supplier qualification plus third-party testing aligned to Codex honey standard quality factors and residue expectations; maintain batch traceability from packer to shipment.
Logistics LowTransit delays and poor storage conditions (heat exposure, packaging leakage) can degrade honey quality and increase relabeling/rework risk before clearance.Use sealed, food-grade packaging; avoid high-heat exposure during storage/transport; align arrival windows with planned label-compliance steps before clearance.
Sustainability- Pollinator health and pesticide exposure management in apiculture supply areas
- Biodiversity and ecosystem services considerations linked to beekeeping expansion programs
Labor & Social- Smallholder/beekeeper livelihood stability and fair purchasing practices in fragmented domestic supply chains
- Worker safety in harvesting/handling and basic hygiene controls at small extraction/packing operations
FAQ
Which HS code is used for natural honey in Sri Lanka’s import tariff classification?Sri Lanka Customs classifies natural honey under Chapter 04 as HS 0409.00 (Natural honey).
What are key label requirements for imported packaged honey in Sri Lanka?Under the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2022 (effective January 1, 2024), packaged foods must be labelled in accordance with the regulations, including the common name in bold type in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, and for imported foods the label must include the importer’s name and address and the country of origin, along with dates and other mandatory declarations.
Is Sri Lanka mainly importing or exporting natural honey?UN Comtrade data presented via WITS indicates Sri Lanka is a net importer: in 2024 it imported about USD 280.29k (126,861 kg) of natural honey (HS 040900), with India and China as leading suppliers, while exports from Sri Lanka are small in partner import data.