Honey market in Afghanistan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the honey market volume in Afghanistan remained relatively stable at just over 1 800 t, even as drought and natural pests in provinces like Badghis limited domestic production. During this period, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock rolled out support programs, distributing beehives and providing training to beekeepers to develop the industry.

The market volume spiked to 2 090 t in 2020, driven primarily by a surge in imports to 310 t, which compensated for the ongoing local production shortfalls caused by drought. That same year, domestic scientific research highlighting the anti-cancer properties of bee venom emerged, potentially boosting the value and interest in honey-derived products.

Following the 2020 peak, the market contracted each year, falling to 1 596 t by 2023. Despite government efforts to increase output through investment and support for beekeepers, climatic challenges and infrastructural constraints continued to weigh on production. An emphasis on export growth to markets like Turkey and India, along with a focus on product standardization and packaging from 2022 onward, could not reverse the downward trend as both domestic output and import volumes kept declining.

Production honey in Afghanistan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Afghanistan's honey production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 1 774 tonnes, followed by a slight increase to 1 782 tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports honey from Afghanistan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 0.2 tonnes, but then surged dramatically to 1.7 tonnes in 2020—an increase of 871.1% compared to the previous year. Export levels fluctuated 9.7 times between the low of 2019 and the high of 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 82.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and India were the main markets for Afghanistan's honey exports in kind. The UAE accounted for 45.4% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 31.5%, and India for 19.0%. Together, these three countries represented 95.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2019, export values reached their lowest point at 2 000 US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 10 000 US dollars—a 6.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports rose sharply to 6 000 US dollars, marking a 273.0% year-over-year increase. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 83.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates dominated Afghanistan's honey exports in value terms, together capturing 81.8% of total exports. The remaining share was distributed thinly across other markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020

Imports honey to Afghanistan

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. In 2017, imports hit their lowest point, while they peaked in 2020, showing an 8-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Afghanistan imported 310.0 tonnes of honey, reflecting a sudden increase of 477.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017–2020, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Saudi Arabia formed the key group of partners for Afghanistan's honey imports in kind. The UAE accounted for 36.3% of imports, Iran for 36.0%, and Saudi Arabia for 21.9%. Together, these three countries represented 94.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. In 2017, import values fell to their lowest point, while they peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 11.1 times. In 2020, foreign honey supplies to Afghanistan amounted to 1 294 000 US dollars, up by 914.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 11.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017–2020, Iran and the United Arab Emirates played the leading roles in Afghanistan's honey imports in value terms, with a combined share of 81.9% of total flows. The remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020