Honey exports to hum as digital export system expands

• Australia welcomes the expansion of NEXDOC export documentation system for honey and apiculture exports to 15 additional markets
• Exporters can now print certificates instead of collecting them from a departmental office
• NEXDOC increases traceability and security for Australia and its trading partners.

It will now be easier for Australian honey exporters to send their products internationally, following improvements to the digital certification process.

Australian exporters of honey and apiculture products can now obtain certification for 15 additional markets via a digital documentation system following Malaysia’s transition to the NEXDOC platform for these goods earlier this year. 

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said application-processing times would be significantly quicker under NEXDOC, providing exporters with all-important export documentation sooner. 

“Honey exports are a $55 million industry and the Albanese Government is focused on growing Australian agriculture by streamlining export functions and improving product traceability,” Minister Watt said.

“Exporters to these markets will no longer have to complete and submit lengthy paper application forms to gain export certification.

“Not only is the manual process time-consuming and costly, paper-based applications can lead to errors which only extend the processing times. 

Through NEXDOC, exporters can communicate directly with the department, removing the need to call or email and providing oversight of the export documentation processes.

Now they can digitally lodge, amend and replace export certificates with minimal departmental intervention, then print their approved certificates instead of collecting them from a departmental office. 

In addition to this, certificates generated through NEXDOC render a unique QR code and certificate number, increasing product traceability and security for both Australia and our trading partners.

Fast facts

• Export certification for honey and apiculture goods is now available for exports to 16 markets.
• Exporters can now obtain their export certification for more than half of the markets where it is required.  
• New functionality includes the ability to apply for additional endorsements on a certificate, providing flexibility for exporters and the department.
• The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry will be transitioning honey and apiculture products in phases, with more markets and certificates to follow.