Honey market in Austria, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian honey market volume fluctuated in the early period, declining from 9 022 t in 2018 to 8 506 t in 2019. This followed the introduction of targeted controls to check for adulteration, pyrrolizidine alkaloids and HMF limits, with subsequent sampling in 2019 revealing that 3% of Austrian honey samples were adulterated and noting the emergence of honey products containing hemp extract. Market volume recovered to 9 177 t in 2020 as monitoring efforts continued with another focused control campaign.

From 2021 onward, recurring EU controls showing nearly half of imported honey as potentially adulterated increased pressure on the supply chain. This supported domestic production growth, with market volume reaching 9 458 t in 2021. In 2022, the market stabilized at 9 467 t amid reports of a self-sufficiency rate around 49%, highlighting the need for more local production. The preparation for the EU Honey Directive, setting future origin labelling rules, began during this time.

In 2023, warnings from Greenpeace about widespread adulterated honey in retail, coupled with persistent import quality concerns, spurred consumer preference for local honey. This drove production up sharply to 5 500 t and lifted total market volume to 10 466 t, with continued regulatory pressure shaping market dynamics.

Production honey in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Austria produced 4,100 tons of honey in 2020, marking a 2.5% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4,000 tons, with that year also seeing the steepest drop of 31.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Austria's honey production value has declined for three years in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 26,688 thousand US dollars, down by 2.7% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 26.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports honey from Austria

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Austria's honey exports amounted to 1,821 tons, showing a significant decrease of 13.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 17.2%, averaging an annual decline of 6.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 2.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy were the top destinations for Austria's honey exports in volume terms, contributing 32.1%, 19.4%, and 11.1% respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 62.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Austria's honey export value declined. In 2020, exports totaled 11,855 thousand US dollars, down by 18.2% from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 13.6%, with an average annual rate of -4.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 14,491 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase happened in 2018 at 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy were the leading buyers of Austrian honey in value terms, accounting for 26.0%, 22.6%, and 12.7% of exports respectively. Combined, these three markets made up 61.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports honey to Austria

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Austria's honey imports rose. In 2020, imports reached 6,898 tons, reflecting a modest increase of 4.2% year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 6,618 tons, and the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 at 13.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria's honey imports in volume terms were highly diversified. Germany, Ukraine, and Hungary were the top sources, contributing 16.0%, 12.0%, and 11.5% respectively, but together they only accounted for 39.6% of total imports. The remaining 60.4% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Austria's honey import value has fallen for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 25,096 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 17.1%, averaging an annual decline of 6.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Austria's honey imports in value terms were widely distributed across markets. Germany, Hungary, and Ukraine were the main sources, with shares of 24.0%, 10.8%, and 7.7% respectively, but together they only represented 42.5% of total import flows.

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

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