Honey market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Egypt's natural honey market reached 4 587 t, partly supported by the government's beekeeping development plan and productivity enhancement projects. However, in 2019 the volume fell 25% to 3 424 t due to adverse weather conditions and rising input prices. The decline continued in 2020 to 3 002 t as sugar price increases raised production costs, and the spread of cheap artificial honey undermined the natural product segment.

The pace of contraction slowed in 2021 to 2 754 t, helped by the Egyptian Honey Festival which boosted sales and export connections, though high costs persisted. In 2022 the market shrank sharply by 29% to 1 943 t, despite announcements of modern processing centers and a black honey project aimed at improving quality.

In 2023 market volume grew 32% to 2 572 t, coinciding with a drop in global honey imports that opened opportunities for Egyptian exporters. In 2024, the entry into force of the European traceability regulation and growing demand for honey as a sugar substitute in the food industry set new parameters for the sector.

Production honey in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Egypt's honey production reached 4 567 tonnes in 2020, showing a modest increase of 1.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 491 tonnes, marking a significant increase of 32.4% that year. However, production experienced its largest decline in 2019, dropping by 18.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Egypt's honey production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 18 129 thousand US dollars, representing a slight decrease of 3.6% year-over-year. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 26 500 thousand US dollars, which saw a substantial increase of 43.5%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 29.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports honey from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Egypt's honey export volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 1 934 tonnes of honey, marking a significant rise of 44.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 141.5%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 34.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Indonesia remained the leading destinations for Egypt's honey exports in volume terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 43.8% of exports, Morocco for 18.3%, and Indonesia for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented 70.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Honey shipments from Egypt increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 7 679 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial advance of 37.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 115.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 29.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Indonesia formed the main group of destinations for Egypt's honey exports in value terms. Saudi Arabia represented 43.4% of export value, Morocco 18.5%, and Indonesia 8.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 70.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports honey to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

The market showed volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 60 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 370 tonnes, representing a 6.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, honey deliveries to Egypt amounted to 370 tonnes, marking a dramatic advance of 38.1% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 53.3%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 347.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Germany—together absorbed 68.5% of total honey imports to Egypt in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 206 thousand US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2020 at 1 120 thousand US dollars, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 5.4 times. In 2020, Egypt's honey imports were valued at 1 120 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp uptick of 50.5% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 50.5%, and the most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 261.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Germany together accounted for 68.3% of total honey imports to Egypt in value terms. Saudi Arabia represented 37.1% of import value, Spain 16.2%, and Germany 14.9%, making them the main destinations for honey imports to Egypt.

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

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