honey resale

How to Start a Honey Resale Business in Kenya (Trusted Supplier)

ByTujulishane

Introduction

The honey resale business in Kenya is a profitable and growing hustle thanks to the rising demand for natural, healthy products. More Kenyans are turning away from processed sugar and embracing honey as a natural sweetener with health benefits. From households to restaurants, bakeries, and pharmacies, honey is always in demand. By positioning yourself as a trusted honey reseller, you can earn daily income while building a loyal customer base that values purity and quality.

Startup Costs 💰

This business does not require a lot of capital, especially if you start small with direct reselling.

  • Capital Needed: KES 8,000 – 18,000
  • Key Expenses:
    • Initial honey stock (5–10 liters) — KES 5,000 – 12,000
    • Bottles and jars for packaging — KES 1,000 – 3,000
    • Labels and branding — KES 500 – 1,500
    • Marketing (flyers, WhatsApp posts, social media ads) — KES 500 – 1,000

💡 Tip: Invest in clear, sealed jars with professional labels — packaging builds trust and attracts higher prices.

Why This Business Works ✅

  1. Health Conscious Market: Honey is seen as medicine and a sugar alternative.
  2. High Demand: Used in tea, porridge, baking, and wellness remedies.
  3. Low Startup Capital: Start with just a few liters.
  4. Premium Pricing: Pure honey sells at a higher price than most food items.
  5. Repeat Customers: Buyers come back regularly for refills.

Step-by-Step Setup 🛠️

1. Find a Trusted Supplier

  • Partner with rural beekeepers.
  • Buy directly from farms for lower costs.
  • Test purity before reselling (avoid adulterated honey).

2. Package Attractively

  • Use clean, sealed jars (250ml, 500ml, 1 liter).
  • Add simple but professional labels (e.g., “Pure Natural Honey – 100% Organic”).
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3. Price Competitively

  • 250ml: KES 250 – 350
  • 500ml: KES 500 – 600
  • 1 liter: KES 900 – 1,200

4. Sell Through the Right Channels

  • Direct to households in estates.
  • Health shops, pharmacies, and supermarkets.
  • Online platforms (Jumia, WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok).

5. Build Trust with Customers

  • Emphasize purity and source.
  • Offer tasting samples where possible.
  • Use transparent jars to showcase natural texture.

Profit Breakdown 📊

Example:

  • Buy 10 liters of honey at KES 800 per liter = KES 8,000.
  • Package into 20 bottles of 500ml each.
  • Sell each at KES 550 = KES 11,000.
  • Profit = KES 3,000 per batch.

Scaling to 50 liters per month:

  • Buy at KES 40,000.
  • Resell at KES 55,000.
  • Profit = KES 15,000 per month.

👉 With aggressive marketing, profits can reach KES 30,000 – 50,000 monthly.

Challenges & How to Overcome Them ⚠️

  1. Fake/Adulterated Honey: Many sellers mix with sugar.
    • Solution: Work with trusted beekeepers and emphasize purity.
  2. Competition: The market has many small sellers.
    • Solution: Stand out with branding, packaging, and storytelling.
  3. Trust Issues: Customers hesitate to buy from new vendors.
    • Solution: Offer small starter jars at affordable prices.
  4. Seasonal Supply: Honey harvesting is seasonal.
    • Solution: Build stock during harvest seasons.

Tips to Grow 🚀

  • Partner with health shops and pharmacies.
  • Brand your honey as organic or medicinal.
  • Offer subscription services (weekly or monthly delivery).
  • Expand into related products (beeswax candles, propolis).
  • Brand your business with a name like “Golden Drop Honey Kenya.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓

Q: How much capital do I need to start a honey resale business in Kenya?
A: With KES 8,000 – 18,000, you can buy initial stock, packaging jars, and market your honey.

Q: How profitable is honey resale?
A: Profit margins are 30–50%. Monthly profits can reach KES 30,000 – 50,000 depending on volume.

Q: How do I ensure customers trust my honey?
A: Emphasize purity, show your source, and package in clear sealed jars with professional labels.

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Q: Where do I get honey to resell?
A: From rural beekeepers, cooperatives, or wholesale honey suppliers.

Conclusion

The honey resale business in Kenya is a profitable, low-capital hustle that benefits from health-conscious consumer trends. With KES 8,000 – 18,000, you can start small by buying pure honey from trusted suppliers, packaging it attractively, and selling in estates, health shops, and online platforms. By focusing on quality and trust, you can grow into a respected honey brand with a loyal customer base.

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