Honey market in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in Latin America and the Caribbean began the period with the implementation of Mexico's Official Standard NOM-004-SAG/GAN-2018, which established production and traceability specifications, helping to maintain product quality and support domestic output. In 2019, the expansion of beekeeping and an increase in the number of hives boosted national production, while a concurrent decrease in exports contributed to raising the domestic market volume to 103 thousand tons.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 heightened consumer interest in honey as a healthy food, strengthening domestic demand. However, a substantial rise in exports during that year directed more production abroad, reducing the internal market volume to 76.9 thousand tons. This was followed by a recovery in 2021, as the perception of honey as an immune-boosting product continued to drive local consumption, pushing the market volume back to 91.8 thousand tons despite emerging challenges from adverse weather conditions like droughts that began affecting hive health and productivity.

In the latter years, the growing consumer trend towards healthy eating solidified demand for honey as a natural sweetener with antioxidant properties. This shift supported a consistent market expansion, with volume reaching 107.9 thousand tons by 2023. Concurrently, the industry focused on developing organic honey and value-added byproducts, while updated guidelines for exporting to the European Union facilitated international market access, helping the sector navigate ongoing pressures from climatic stresses and sanitary hive issues.

Production honey in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

In Latin America and the Caribbean, honey production reached 233.8 thousand tons in 2020, marking a slight increase of 0.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 237.6 thousand tons, which represented a significant increase of 7.9% from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with production falling by 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Honey production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 570.7 million US dollars, reflecting a modest decrease of 1.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value dropped by 21.3%, with an average annual decline of 7.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 736.8 million US dollars, which saw a small increase of 1.6% from the previous year. However, 2019 experienced the largest decline, with a sharp drop of 21.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports honey from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, honey exports from Latin America and the Caribbean rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 158.7 thousand tons, showing a robust increase of 21.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 130.6 thousand tons, which marked a decline of 9.7% from the prior year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Germany, and Spain were the top buyers of honey from Latin America and the Caribbean in volume terms. The United States accounted for 48.2% of exports, Germany for 25.2%, and Spain for 4.4%. Together, these three countries represented 77.8% of total honey exports from the region.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, honey exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased in value in 2020. Exports stood at 387.3 million US dollars, representing an advance of 18.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value decreased by 19.4%, with an average annual decline of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 326.1 million US dollars, which saw a significant drop of 27.2% from the year before.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, the United States, Germany, and Spain accounted for the largest shares of honey exports from Latin America and the Caribbean. The United States represented 45.2% of export value, Germany 28.1%, and Spain 3.6%. Combined, these three countries made up 76.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports honey to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Honey imports into Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the second consecutive year in volume. In 2020, imports amounted to 1.8 thousand tons, indicating a substantial rise of 65.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 30.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.1 thousand tons, which marked a decline of 21.3% from the prior year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, honey imports into Latin America and the Caribbean in volume terms were relatively evenly distributed among various partners. The United States accounted for 25.0% of imports, Spain for 4.9%, and India for 2.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 32.2% of total import flows, indicating a diverse sourcing landscape.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of honey into Latin America and the Caribbean reached 8.5 million US dollars, representing a 45.3% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 14.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5.9 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 24.5% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for honey imports into Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms was broad. The United States accounted for 30.4% of import value, Spain for 5.5%, and India for 2.6%. Together, these three countries formed only 38.4% of total flows, with a substantial 61.6% coming from many other countries, highlighting the wide range of sources.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020