Honey market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

Ecuador's honey market volume expanded from 876.4 t in 2018 to 900.3 t in 2019, driven by the Ministry of Agriculture's distribution of beekeeping kits and technical support, which increased the number of beekeepers and hives across the country. This period also saw the first export of Ecuadorian honey to the United States, marking the sector's initial entry into international markets.

The launch of the National Beekeeping Program in 2020, offering subsidies and credit, aimed to double hive productivity and improve honey quality through nationwide campaigns. These efforts, alongside the creation of a dedicated apiculture unit and a technical committee to combat honey adulteration, helped stabilize domestic market volume around 888 t in 2021 and 2022. Public-private partnerships also enabled direct sales from producers to companies, improving profitability.

Market volume reached 889.8 t in 2023, supported by sustained growth in honey exports to new destinations. By 2024, new traceability and labeling regulations inspired by EU directives were being implemented, and producers began fostering premium segments like monofloral avocado and citrus honey to leverage Ecuador's floral diversity.

Production honey in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in Ecuador has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 883.1 tons of honey, representing a slight 0.8% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 2.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.7%.

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

Exports honey from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. From 2017 to 2019, exports fluctuated significantly, with a 26-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2019, Ecuador's honey exports reached their lowest point at 0.1 tons, marking an 81.4% decline. However, in 2020, exports surged to 1.4 tons, representing a dramatic increase of 1 527.9% compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador's honey exports were almost exclusively directed to the United States, which accounted for 96.9% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Export values varied widely, with an 11.8-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2019, the minimum value was recorded at 1.1 thousand US dollars. In 2020, Ecuador's honey export value rose sharply to 12.7 thousand US dollars, an increase of 1 082.2% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ecuador's honey exports in value terms were primarily shipped to the United States, which absorbed 94.9% of the total.

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

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

Imports honey to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

The import market displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 41-fold gap between these years. In 2018, imports fell to 6.9 tons, a 97.6% decline. By 2019, imports rebounded to 24.0 tons, up 247.8% from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina was the main source of honey imports to Ecuador, consistently accounting for 91.3% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market was characterized by volatility during these years. Import values showed a 40-fold difference, with the highest in 2017 and the lowest in 2018. In 2018, the minimum value was 23.2 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 97.5% decline. In 2019, import values increased to 95.0 thousand US dollars, up 309.0% from 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Argentina remained the nearly exclusive supplier of honey to Ecuador in value terms, with a share of 90.6% of total imports.

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

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