Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia

Tegegn Teshome

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11

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Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia

Tegegn Teshome^*

Published in International Journal of Safety Research (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Received: 5 November 2025 Accepted: 18 November 2025 Published: 8 January 2026

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Abstract

Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as the largest honey producer in Africa and one of the leading suppliers globally, apiculture plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods. Beekeeping contributes significantly to household incomes, enhances food security through pollination of crops and generates substantial export revenue, making it an important component of the national economy. However, the quality and safety of honey are increasingly threatened by the accumulation of residues from pesticides, veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants. Such residues can alter honey’s physicochemical and enzymatic properties, reducing its nutritional and organoleptic quality and may pose serious health risks to consumers, including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), routine monitoring of chemical residues and systematic training programs for farmers and beekeepers on safe practices. Furthermore, promoting organic and bee-friendly farming systems can help protect pollinators, maintain ecological balance and ensure the production of high-quality honey. Sustainable apiculture in Ethiopia depends on coordinated national policies, investment in research and extension services and active engagement of stakeholders across the honey value chain. By prioritizing pollinator protection, food safety and quality control measures, Ethiopia can secure the long-term viability of its honey sector while continuing to meet both domestic and international demand for safe, nutritious and high-quality honey.

Published in	International Journal of Safety Research (Volume 1, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
Page(s)	1-5
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Honey Quality, Pesticide Residues, Honeybee Health, Food Safety, Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

References

[1]	Adgaba, N., Al-Ghamdi, A., Tadesse, Y., Getachew, A., & Workneh, A. (2017). Honey production systems (Apis mellifera L.) in Ethiopia: Challenges and opportunities. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 29(12), 1-9.
[2]	Bogdanov, S. (2011). Honey composition and properties. Bee Product Science, 1-9.
[3]	Bogdanov, S., Jurendic, T., Sieber, R., & Gallmann, P. (2008). Honey for nutrition and health: A review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 27(6), 677-689.
[4]	Codling, G., Al Naggar, Y., & Giesy, J. P. (2016). Concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticides in honey from major honey-producing countries. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(23), 23294-23303.
[5]	Doublet, V., Labarussias, M., de Miranda, J. R., Moritz, R. F., & Paxton, R. J. (2015). Exposure of honey bees to natural pathogens impairs immunity and promotes colony losses. PLoS Pathogens, 11(3), e1004814.
[6]	EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). (2018). Evaluation of the toxicity of pesticides on honey bees. EFSA Journal, 16(2), 5174.
[7]	FAO. (2022). Guidelines for sustainable apiculture and pesticide management. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
[8]	Gebremariam et al. (2020) - Emphasizes the socio-economic and medicinal importance of honey in Ethiopia.
[9]	Girma, D., Tadesse, Y., & Kebede, D. (2021). Pesticide residue contamination and its implications on Ethiopian honey export. Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 31(2), 33-45.
[10]	Mnif, W., et al. (2011). Effect of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on human health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(6), 2265-2303.
[11]	Muli, E., et al. (2020). Impact of pesticide use on honey bee health in Africa: A review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192(5), 281.
[12]	Siviter, H., & Muth, F. (2020). Do pesticides affect bee learning and cognition? A review. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 36, 69-76.
[13]	Tarekegn, T., Kebede, D., & Girma, D. (2023). Assessment of pesticide residues in Ethiopian honey and beeswax. Journal of Apicultural Research, 62(4), 520-532.
[14]	Van der Sluijs, J. P., et al. (2013). Neonicotinoids, bee disorders, and the sustainability of pollinator services. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 5(3-4), 293-305.
[15]	Yosef, M., Tadesse, S., & Teshome, T. (2022). Effects of pesticide contamination on the physicochemical properties of Ethiopian honey. African Journal of Food Science, 16(7), 201-210.

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APA Style

Teshome, T. (2026). Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia. International Journal of Safety Research, 1(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11

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ACS Style

Teshome, T. Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia. Int. J. Saf. Res. 2026, 1(1), 1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11

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AMA Style

Teshome T. Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia. Int J Saf Res. 2026;1(1):1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11,
  author = {Tegegn Teshome},
  title = {Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Safety Research},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-5},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsr.20260101.11},
  abstract = {Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as the largest honey producer in Africa and one of the leading suppliers globally, apiculture plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods. Beekeeping contributes significantly to household incomes, enhances food security through pollination of crops and generates substantial export revenue, making it an important component of the national economy. However, the quality and safety of honey are increasingly threatened by the accumulation of residues from pesticides, veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants. Such residues can alter honey’s physicochemical and enzymatic properties, reducing its nutritional and organoleptic quality and may pose serious health risks to consumers, including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), routine monitoring of chemical residues and systematic training programs for farmers and beekeepers on safe practices. Furthermore, promoting organic and bee-friendly farming systems can help protect pollinators, maintain ecological balance and ensure the production of high-quality honey. Sustainable apiculture in Ethiopia depends on coordinated national policies, investment in research and extension services and active engagement of stakeholders across the honey value chain. By prioritizing pollinator protection, food safety and quality control measures, Ethiopia can secure the long-term viability of its honey sector while continuing to meet both domestic and international demand for safe, nutritious and high-quality honey.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia
AU  - Tegegn Teshome
Y1  - 2026/01/08
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
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JF  - International Journal of Safety Research
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SP  - 1
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
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AB  - Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as the largest honey producer in Africa and one of the leading suppliers globally, apiculture plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods. Beekeeping contributes significantly to household incomes, enhances food security through pollination of crops and generates substantial export revenue, making it an important component of the national economy. However, the quality and safety of honey are increasingly threatened by the accumulation of residues from pesticides, veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants. Such residues can alter honey’s physicochemical and enzymatic properties, reducing its nutritional and organoleptic quality and may pose serious health risks to consumers, including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), routine monitoring of chemical residues and systematic training programs for farmers and beekeepers on safe practices. Furthermore, promoting organic and bee-friendly farming systems can help protect pollinators, maintain ecological balance and ensure the production of high-quality honey. Sustainable apiculture in Ethiopia depends on coordinated national policies, investment in research and extension services and active engagement of stakeholders across the honey value chain. By prioritizing pollinator protection, food safety and quality control measures, Ethiopia can secure the long-term viability of its honey sector while continuing to meet both domestic and international demand for safe, nutritious and high-quality honey.
VL  - 1
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Tegegn Teshome

Ethiopian Agricultural Authority Department of Milk and Honey Health Safety Quality Regulatory, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Teshome, T. (2026). Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia. International Journal of Safety Research, 1(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11

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ACS Style

Teshome, T. Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia. Int. J. Saf. Res. 2026, 1(1), 1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Teshome T. Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia. Int J Saf Res. 2026;1(1):1-5. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11,
  author = {Tegegn Teshome},
  title = {Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Safety Research},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-5},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsr.20260101.11},
  abstract = {Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as the largest honey producer in Africa and one of the leading suppliers globally, apiculture plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods. Beekeeping contributes significantly to household incomes, enhances food security through pollination of crops and generates substantial export revenue, making it an important component of the national economy. However, the quality and safety of honey are increasingly threatened by the accumulation of residues from pesticides, veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants. Such residues can alter honey’s physicochemical and enzymatic properties, reducing its nutritional and organoleptic quality and may pose serious health risks to consumers, including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), routine monitoring of chemical residues and systematic training programs for farmers and beekeepers on safe practices. Furthermore, promoting organic and bee-friendly farming systems can help protect pollinators, maintain ecological balance and ensure the production of high-quality honey. Sustainable apiculture in Ethiopia depends on coordinated national policies, investment in research and extension services and active engagement of stakeholders across the honey value chain. By prioritizing pollinator protection, food safety and quality control measures, Ethiopia can secure the long-term viability of its honey sector while continuing to meet both domestic and international demand for safe, nutritious and high-quality honey.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Review on the Impact of Pesticides on the Production of Safety and High-Quality Honey in Ethiopia
AU  - Tegegn Teshome
Y1  - 2026/01/08
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
T2  - International Journal of Safety Research
JF  - International Journal of Safety Research
JO  - International Journal of Safety Research
SP  - 1
EP  - 5
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsr.20260101.11
AB  - Honey is a highly valued natural product, prized not only for its unique taste but also for its nutritional, medicinal and economic significance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, honey has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement, therapeutic agent, and natural sweetener. In Ethiopia, which is recognized as the largest honey producer in Africa and one of the leading suppliers globally, apiculture plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods. Beekeeping contributes significantly to household incomes, enhances food security through pollination of crops and generates substantial export revenue, making it an important component of the national economy. However, the quality and safety of honey are increasingly threatened by the accumulation of residues from pesticides, veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants. Such residues can alter honey’s physicochemical and enzymatic properties, reducing its nutritional and organoleptic quality and may pose serious health risks to consumers, including neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM), routine monitoring of chemical residues and systematic training programs for farmers and beekeepers on safe practices. Furthermore, promoting organic and bee-friendly farming systems can help protect pollinators, maintain ecological balance and ensure the production of high-quality honey. Sustainable apiculture in Ethiopia depends on coordinated national policies, investment in research and extension services and active engagement of stakeholders across the honey value chain. By prioritizing pollinator protection, food safety and quality control measures, Ethiopia can secure the long-term viability of its honey sector while continuing to meet both domestic and international demand for safe, nutritious and high-quality honey.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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