Honey market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in Central Asia expanded consistently in physical volume from 2018 to 2023, growing from 21 930 t to 28 543 t. The most pronounced increase occurred in 2021, when market volume jumped by 7.9% following a 3.2% rise in 2020. Growth rates moderated slightly in the subsequent years but remained positive, culminating in a 5.4% increase in 2023.

In value terms, the market exhibited greater volatility, rising from $84.3 million in 2018 to $115.4 million in 2023. However, the market value experienced declines of 2.9% in 2020 and 6.5% in 2022, suggesting that price movements did not always align with the steady growth in consumption volume over the period.

Production honey in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in Central Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 23 538 tons of honey, marking a 1.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Exports honey from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Central Asia's honey exports declined in 2020. The region exported 590.0 tons of honey that year, down 6.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 13.6%, with an average annual rate of 4.3%. The peak was in 2019 at 632.1 tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key destinations for Central Asia's honey exports were China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. China accounted for 28.7% of exports by volume, Saudi Arabia for 15.0%, and the UAE for 10.2%. Together, these three countries made up 53.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Central Asia exported honey worth 2 385 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 10.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 25.9%, with an average annual decline of 9.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 224 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 30.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 20.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of Central Asian honey by value were China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. China represented 27.7% of export value, Saudi Arabia 16.3%, and the UAE 8.0%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 52.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports honey to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Honey imports into Central Asia showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 166.2 tons and peaked in 2020 at 639.4 tons, representing a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports surged by 207.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 34.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the leading supplier of honey to Central Asia, holding a 64.3% share of imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Honey import values in Central Asia were unstable during the 2017-2020 period. The lowest value was in 2018 at 462 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2017, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 2 385 thousand US dollars, jumping 55.4% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, down 79.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Russia was the primary source for honey imports by value into Central Asia, accounting for 49.0% of total import flows.

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

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