Honey market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the natural honey market volume in ECOWAS expanded from 6 592 t to 9 389 t. This period saw strengthened local production in countries such as Burkina Faso, where the entry of new beekeepers was driven by growing European demand for organic honey, particularly from Germany and France. While this boosted export activity from the region, the overall market growth was largely fueled by a rise in imports, which increased from 450 t in 2018 to 2 065 t in 2020.

Market volume continued to rise sharply, reaching a peak of 16 401 t in 2022, primarily due to a surge in imports that climbed to 9 173 t that year. However, by 2023, the market receded to 13 028 t as imports fell back to 5 294 t, while domestic production remained steady at around 7 500 t to 7 800 t throughout the period.

Production honey in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in ECOWAS declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 7 496 tonnes of honey, marking a modest 3.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 13.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 7 781 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 17.9%.

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

Exports honey from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 79 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 455 tonnes, with a 5.8-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, ECOWAS exported 172 tonnes of honey, a sharp 118.8% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 82.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 455.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, honey exports from ECOWAS were heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 82.3% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.9-fold change between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of honey from ECOWAS amounted to 461 thousand US dollars, up 106.6% from the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 23.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (68.4% of exports in value terms), Bangladesh (6.8%), and France (5.4%) accounted for the largest share of exports, together comprising 80.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports honey to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

ECOWAS's honey import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of honey, which is 343.0% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 421.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 73.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United Arab Emirates (36.9% of imports in kind), China (24.3%), and France (8.9%) stood out as the main sources for imports, together representing 70.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values dropped to a minimum in 2019 at 953 thousand US dollars and climbed to their maximum in 2020 at 1 871 thousand US dollars, a 2-fold shift. In 2020, ECOWAS's honey imports increased by 96.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (21.6% of imports in value terms), Portugal (13.8%), and the United Arab Emirates (13.2%) formed the largest group of suppliers to ECOWAS. However, their combined contribution was limited to 48.6% of total imports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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