Honey market in Australia and New Zealand, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the honey market in Australia and New Zealand expanded significantly, with volume rising from 16 142 t to 24 113 t. This growth was driven by increasing consumer preference for natural sweeteners due to health consciousness, and the COVID-19 pandemic further boosted demand for honey as a natural remedy.

After reaching a peak, market volume declined to 18 826 t in 2021 before a slight recovery to 19 640 t in 2022. The latter year saw market innovation with the launch of plant-based bee-free honey and the entry of new players through acquisitions like Dabur India Ltd.'s purchase of Asian Consumer Care, which supported volume growth.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply to 11 446 t. Industry focus subsequently shifted towards flavored honey products and investments in queen-breeding programs to support production sustainability.

Production honey in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of honey, 2018-2021

World map of production of honey, 2018-2021

Honey production in Australia and New Zealand declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2021, output reached 32 437 tonnes, marking a significant 17.5% decrease from the previous year. Production had peaked in 2020 at 39 311 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of expansion, the value of honey production in Australia and New Zealand fell. In 2021, production was valued at 600.6 million US dollars, representing a substantial 12.0% drop from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 44.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 682.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 32.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports honey from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand exported 19 995 tonnes of honey, a 5.5% decrease compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports declined by 8%, averaging an annualized reduction of 2.8%. The lowest export volume occurred in 2019 at 18 334 tonnes, which saw the largest annual decline of 15.7%. In contrast, 2020 recorded the largest annual increase of 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, honey exports from Australia and New Zealand were relatively diversified. China accounted for 16.3% of export volume, the United States for 14.8%, and the United Kingdom for 14.4%. Together, these three markets represented 45.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Honey export value from Australia and New Zealand increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 370.2 million US dollars, up 0.7% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 33.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 266.6 million US dollars, which experienced a 4.2% decline. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020 at 37.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The structure of honey export value from 2018 to 2021 was diversified. China represented 18.8% of export value, the United States 15.3%, and the United Kingdom 12.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 46.4% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports honey to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

Honey imports to Australia and New Zealand increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, import volume reached 6 384 tonnes, up 7.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 16.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 726 tonnes, which saw the largest annual decline of 31.9%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020 at 60.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources of honey imports to Australia and New Zealand were China, accounting for 53.9% of import volume, Brazil with 11.1%, and Argentina with 4.6%. Together, these three countries supplied 69.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, honey imports to Australia and New Zealand were valued at 36.8 million US dollars, a 10.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value fell by 31.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 11.9%. The largest annual decrease occurred in 2019 at 29.1%, while 2020 saw the largest annual increase of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the supplier base for honey imports to Australia and New Zealand was broad. China accounted for 17.4% of import value, Brazil for 4.9%, and Argentina for 2.3%. Together, these three countries contributed only 24.6% of total import value, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021