Belitung Regency has demonstrated notable potential for export activities, particularly with its Belitung honey, which has successfully entered the international market. During the "Empowering People's Economy Through Gerak Action (Berage)" UMKM dialogue on RRI Pro 1 Sungailiat, Yeni Siswaty, owner of Family Honey, detailed that export operations began in 2022. Initially, honey was purchased by communities for souvenirs to Singapore and Malaysia. By the end of 2022, they successfully shipped 12 bottles in a single dispatch. Yeni Siswaty highlighted the unique qualities of Family Honey, noting that the honey undergoes an evaporation process to reduce water content without compromising its benefits.

The honey comes in various flavors, including a slightly sour but predominantly sweet taste, a bitter-sour combination with a more pronounced bitterness, and a pronounced sour flavor, all derived from different vegetation. The flavor preferences for international markets vary by country. For instance, Saudi Arabia and Dubai prefer the sour taste due to its higher antioxidant properties, while Singapore and Malaysia favor the sweet-sour flavor. In contrast, the bitter taste is more popular locally in Indonesia. Additionally, Belitung honey with a bitter taste has been found to have high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, surpassing those of bitter honey from other regions, as confirmed by a two-year study at the University of Indonesia.

Source: https://www.rri.co.id/daerah/848975/madu-belitung-tembus-pasar-internasional