Honey market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the honey market in Eastern Asia experienced a notable shift in volume and value. Market volume peaked at 433 thousand tons in 2020 before declining to 395 thousand tons in 2023, while the market value followed a similar pattern, reaching $1.3 billion in 2020 before dropping to $910 million in 2023. This trajectory was primarily driven by climate-related challenges that reduced domestic honey production, including abnormal weather patterns and a shortening of the acacia tree flowering period. Concurrently, trade liberalization through free trade agreements and tariff reductions increased import competition, placing additional pressure on local producers.

Improved beekeeping management in certain regions helped support production in 2020, contributing to the temporary market volume increase. However, the persistent decline in acacia honey sources and ongoing climate anomalies led to a sustained reduction in domestic output over the following years. In response, the industry focused on developing high-value apiculture products and utilizing isolation breeding stations for bee variety development to stabilize production. Consumer preferences also shifted towards natural and functional honey products, prompting major companies to launch new offerings and adapt marketing strategies, particularly through expanding online distribution channels.

Despite internal production challenges, honey exports from the region grew consistently in volume after 2020, indicating strengthened international market presence. This export growth occurred alongside rising consumer health awareness, which fueled demand for premium and functional honey variants. The market dynamics reflect a complex interplay between environmental constraints on supply, competitive pressures from imports, and evolving consumption trends that reshaped the industry landscape throughout the period.

Production honey in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, honey production in Eastern Asia increased in 2020. The region produced 489.8 K t of honey that year, marking a moderate year-on-year growth of 3.1%. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.0%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 475.1 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 16.5% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, the value of honey production in Eastern Asia rose in 2020. Output was valued at 1 273 M $ US that year, representing a significant 22.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, production value decreased by 3.3%, averaging an annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 037 M $ US, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 18.2%.

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

Exports honey from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Honey exports from Eastern Asia declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Shipments amounted to 98.7 K t, down by 9.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the buyer portfolio for honey from Eastern Asia was diverse. The United Kingdom (26.6% of exports in kind), Belgium (7.5%), and Poland (6.9%) together accounted for only 41.0% of total exports in kind. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares, contributing to a broad distribution.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of honey exports from Eastern Asia increased in 2020. Exports totalled 256.4 M $ US, showing a moderate rise of 7.2% compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 7.3%, averaging an annual decline of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 239.1 M $ US, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of honey exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United Kingdom (23.4% of exports in value terms), Belgium (7.4%), and Poland (6.3%) together made up only 37.1% of total flows. The remaining 62.9% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries, indicating a fragmented market.

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

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

Imports honey to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Honey imports into Eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. The region imported 41.9 K t of honey, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.7%, with a CAGR of -1.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 40.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.7%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 3.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the supplier portfolio for honey imports into Eastern Asia was broad. Argentina (8.9% of imports in kind), Canada (6.9%), and New Zealand (6.3%) together contributed only 22.1% of total imports in kind. Many other countries held smaller but significant shares, reflecting a diverse sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of honey imports into Eastern Asia amounted to 292.9 M $ US, which was 11.6% higher than the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 262.5 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of honey imports in value terms remained scattered. New Zealand (38.5% of imports in value terms), Canada (5.5%), and Australia (5.5%) together accounted for just 49.4% of total flows. No single partner emerged as clearly dominant, highlighting a distributed import structure.

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

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