LocationsReaching Global Markets: How Kyrgyz Honey Is Competing Internationally
May 28, 2025
Emma Savitskaya
In one of Bishkek’s commercial neighborhoods, a small honey shop stands as a quiet example of how local businesses are entering global markets with the right support and systems in place.
Dary Tyan-Shanya LLC, a company led by Emma Savitskaya, began as a small beekeeping association focused on preserving Kyrgyzstan’s apiculture traditions. Exporting products was not part of the original plan. The main goal was to support local beekeepers and retain traditional techniques.
The company’s shift toward international trade began with support from the Aid for Trade in Central Asia project, implemented by UNDP and financed by the Government of Finland. The project is directly aligned with the Export Development Programme of the Kyrgyz Republic (2025–2028), the National Development Programme (until 2026), and the Presidential Decree on Agro-Industrial Development.
Emma describes the transition: “We realized we didn’t have the tools or knowledge to meet international standards or understand market demands. The project helped us address those gaps.” Through trainings, expert consultations, and practical guidance, the company modernized its processes, structured its operations, and met certification requirements to enter global markets. Dary Tyan-Shanya has since obtained international certifications and now exports honey to over 30 countries.
In the honey value chain alone, the project engaged a total of 166 participants, including eight micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in honey processing and export. These MSMEs collaborate with 135 beekeepers and are supported by 11 service providers and 12 institutions that deliver technical expertise in areas such as honey processing, pricing, packaging, labeling, and certification aligned with market requirements. As a result of the project’s interventions, notable interim outcomes were achieved, including the creation of 34 new jobs—19 of which were filled by women—an average export growth of 10 percent, and a 25 percent increase in productivity.
The UNDP-Finland initiative contributes to national priorities by strengthening value chains in agriculture, promoting export competitiveness, and building sustainable livelihoods. Emma Savitskaya’s story is one of many outcomes demonstrating how strategic partnerships and targeted capacity building are expanding Kyrgyzstan’s participation in international trade.
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