The jar of honey in your cupboard is more than just a tasty sweetener. Many believe that a spoon of this ancient remedy per day improves overall health. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that market demand for organic honey have been constantly growing.

Euromed, a small company based in the village of Veliko Ropotovo/Ropotovë e Madhe in Ranilug/Ranillug municipality, established in 2008 by Zvonimir Vasić aimed honey production his family’s consumption. At the time, Zvonimir only had one beehive, but soon he fell in love with beekeeping and this became larger than just a hobby. Initially he bought two beehives, and then due to increased market demand, Zvonimir purchased seven more, only to find that this is not enough to start a serious beekeeping business.

Thanks to USAID grant, Zvonimir purchased 21 new bee societies, 48 beehives, and additional equipment for processing and packing honey. Before receiving the grant, Euromed had been producing between 300 and 400 kilograms of honey per year, of which 95 percent was sold at the local markets, allowing his family to earn between 2,000 and 2,500 USD per year.

Zvonimir estimates that his company has increased honey production by 100 percent as a direct result of the grant received from USAID. “USAID through this donation has given me strength to pursue my dream to establish a serious beekeeping business,” he explains. “Now I have 45 bee societies, and my company allows my family to earn around USD 650 per month.” In the fall, he plans to hire and train two more people, adding that market demands are very high, and he continues to sell as much as he can make. Euromed’s products are purchased by both Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians.

The grant received from USAID is worth nearly USD 13,000.