Honey market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Central American honey market expanded as new quality certifications and traceability systems, such as Costa Rica's 'El Mercado de la Miel' platform and El Salvador's strengthened apiary regulations, boosted consumer confidence and supported domestic sales. Panama's first National Honey Fair also promoted direct-to-consumer sales, reducing intermediary dependence and stimulating local consumption.

However, from 2020 onward, production challenges emerged. Costa Rica experienced its worst harvest in two decades in 2021 due to poor flowering, heavy rains, and high colony mortality from Varroa mites, severely reducing supply. Concurrently, high costs for imported pollen in Panama squeezed beekeepers' profitability, while competition from synthetic honey in Honduras pressured domestic demand, contributing to a contraction in market volume through 2022.

The market began recovering in 2023, aided by initiatives to boost internal demand. El Salvador reported increased production and exports to European markets following improved traceability and management certifications. Panama's National Honey Fair revived consumer interest and product diversification, while Guatemala's traceability and fair-trade campaign aligned standards with international codes, facilitating access to new export destinations and supporting market growth.

Production honey in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in Central America fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 62 853 tonnes of honey, which was 12.4% lower than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.9% overall, averaging a 1.3% annual increase. The highest output was in 2018, reaching 74 174 tonnes, with that year also seeing the biggest rise of 22.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of honey production in Central America dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it was valued at 239.2 million US dollars, a sharp decline of 17.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 6.6% in total, equivalent to an average annual drop of 2.2%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 342.3 million US dollars, which also marked the largest increase of 33.7%.

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

Exports honey from Central America

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Central America's honey export volume rebounded. In 2020, the region exported 18 510 tonnes of honey, up 4.2% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 31.5%, with an average annual decrease of 11.9%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 17 756 tonnes, which also saw the steepest drop of 33.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the top destinations for Central American honey exports by volume. Germany accounted for 48.4% of exports, the United States for 16.8%, and the United Kingdom for 9.2%, together making up 74.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Central America's honey export value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 70.5 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 1.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value dropped by 38.5%, averaging an annual decline of 14.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 122.9 million US dollars, while the largest fall occurred in 2019 with a 41.9% drop. In contrast, 2018 saw the biggest increase of 7.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, three key markets—Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom—collectively accounted for 75.9% of the total value of honey exports from Central America.

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

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

Imports honey to Central America

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with the peak being 2.3 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Central America imported 413 tonnes of honey, a sharp increase of 58.1% from the year before. The largest decline was in 2019 at 24.4%, while the biggest rise occurred in 2018 with a 93.1% jump.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Central America sourced honey from numerous countries. Even the top suppliers—the United States, Brazil, and Malaysia—combined represented only 20.1% of total import volume, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Central America imported about 3.3 million US dollars worth of honey in 2020, a strong increase of 24.1% over the past year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 40.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 3.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 51.4%. The biggest decline was in 2019, falling by 25.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value-based import structure was fragmented. The United States accounted for 17.6% of imports, Brazil for 5.1%, and Malaysia for 4.1%, together making up just 26.8% of total flows, with no single partner dominating the market.

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

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