Honey market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in the Americas experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2023, initially shaped by regulatory developments. In 2018, Mexican authorities introduced the NOM-004-SAG/GAN-2018 standard, setting specifications for honey production to prevent adulteration and protect national beekeeping. This move likely helped maintain production quality and consumer confidence. The following year, the market volume rose to 249 thousand tons, partly due to a drop in export shipments. By 2020, Spain’s updated honey‑quality decree (Real Decreto 523/2020), which required more detailed origin labeling, coincided with increased export volumes from the Americas, contributing to a slight contraction in domestic market size to 233.5 thousand tons.

The period from 2021 to 2023 saw further volatility. Market volume dipped to 211.6 thousand tons in 2022 as exports surged to a high of 136.5 thousand tons. However, a sharp rebound occurred in 2023, with market volume jumping to 257.5 thousand tons. This turnaround aligned with Spain’s push during its EU Council presidency for stricter European honey regulations aimed at enhancing transparency and quality control. These anticipated rules likely temporarily reduced exports from the Americas to the EU, boosting domestic availability. Concurrently, global trends—such as rising health awareness and demand for natural sweeteners—began to support broader market growth.

Production honey in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in the Americas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 338.5 K t, representing a small reduction of 1.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 350.6 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of honey in the Americas was valued at 1 297 M $ US, marking a slight rise of 1.7% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 12.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 466 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 13.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 27.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports honey from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, honey exports from the Americas increased. In 2020, exports totalled 110.5 K t, marking a strong increase of 11.8% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 29%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 98.8 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, honey from the Americas was supplied to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Germany, Japan, and Spain—together represented only 31.9% of total exports in kind, indicating a highly diversified export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, honey export volumes from the Americas increased. In 2020, the Americas exported 423.2 M $ US of honey, marking an uptick of 15.2% compared with 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 367.4 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 27.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (25.1% of exports in value terms), Japan (5.6%), and Spain (3.2%) were among the largest buyers of honey from the Americas. However, even together, they represented just 33.9% of total exports in value terms, reflecting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports honey to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

Import levels showed significant volatility during these years. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 4.5 K t, with the largest decline of 90.0% recorded in 2018. By 2020, honey deliveries to the Americas amounted to 5.5 K t, up by 11.2% compared to 2019. Overall, import levels fluctuated tenfold between the high of 2017 and the low of 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (10.4% of imports in kind), Thailand (8.5%), and Spain (5.7%) formed the largest group of suppliers of honey to the Americas. Their combined contribution was limited to 24.6% of total imports in kind, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Honey imports to the Americas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 41.0 M $ US, up by 0.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 36.8 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 7.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of honey to the Americas in value terms were spread across many countries. New Zealand (25.8% of imports in value terms), India (5.8%), and Australia (5.7%) jointly accounted for only 37.4% of total flows, highlighting the diversity of sourcing.

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

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