Honey market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French honey market volume reached 50 522 tonnes in 2018, supported by record production due to an increased number of hives and higher yields, alongside the rollout of the ISN compensation scheme for beekeepers. However, in 2019 the market fell to 44 118 tonnes as unfavorable weather conditions, including frost and a poor spring, reduced harvests, while household purchasing power declined. A sharp recovery followed in 2020, with the market peaking at 54 640 tonnes, boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic which spurred direct sales demand and by another year of high production linked to more hives and improved yields.

Market volume dropped again to 39 475 tonnes in 2021, driven by climate disruption that lowered yields in southern France and continued pressure on consumer spending. Conditions reversed in 2022: favorable weather and a surge in organic beekeeping helped production jump by 59%, lifting the market to 50 303 tonnes, while record imports from Ukraine supplemented supply. The market then stabilized at 50 841 tonnes in 2023 as beekeepers faced greater commercialization difficulties and the EU honey directive, adopted in April 2024, began tightening traceability and labeling rules.

For 2024, industry reports highlight a challenging production environment, with an expected 40% drop in harvest triggering the ISN compensation mechanism. The market also saw new entrants with Léa Nature's acquisition of Famille Mary and the arrival of Lucien Georgelin, while the implementation of the honey directive placed stronger emphasis on transparency and protected origin labels.

Production honey in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France maintained the 24th position globally in terms of honey production volume.

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

In 2020, France produced 23 737 tons of honey, marking a sharp increase of 50.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 64.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 18.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 19.1%.

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

Exports honey from France

Exports in kind, t

France's honey export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 011 tons, down by 9.6% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 624 tons, which saw the largest increase of 31.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 33.0%.

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

An analysis of honey exports in volume from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Sweden accounted for 14.9% of exports, Italy for 11.2%, and Spain for 11.1%, together making up only 37.3% of total flows. The remaining 62.7% was spread across numerous other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, France's honey export value increased. In 2020, export value totaled 31.0 million US dollars, up by 3.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 30.0 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, honey exports in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. Belgium accounted for 11.4% of exports, Sweden for 10.5%, and the United States for 10.2%, jointly representing just 32.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports honey to France

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, France's honey imports totaled 34 914 tons, up by 6.4% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 32 799 tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 37 678 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 12.9%.

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

The structure of honey imports in volume from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of partners. Spain accounted for 19.8% of imports, Ukraine for 15.2%, and Germany for 10.2%, together making up only 45.2% of total flows. The remaining 54.8% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, France's honey import value increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 138.4 million US dollars, indicating a strong increase of 16.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 118.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of honey imports in value terms was highly diversified. Spain accounted for 23.3% of imports, Germany for 12.5%, and Ukraine for 9.5%, together representing only 45.4% of total flows. The remaining 54.6% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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