Honey market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Madagascar's honey sector revived with a strict quality focus for export following the earlier lifted EU embargo. The adoption of the organic farming law in 2020 facilitated bio-certification and supported small producers, while the COVID-19 pandemic impacted supply chains. Market volume saw a modest contraction to 3 881 t in 2020, stabilizing around 3 883 t in 2021.

Beginning in 2022, the Kobaby environmental project provided beekeeping equipment and established approved honey houses in the Diana region. This was followed by the nationwide rollout of the ODOF program, launching industrial honey processing units from 2023, which improved quality standards and processing capacity. These developments, alongside growing domestic demand for premium honey, contributed to a market volume increase to 3 971 t in 2022, maintained near 3 966 t in 2023.

Production honey in Madagascar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Madagascar's honey production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 983 tonnes of honey, which remained stable compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports honey from Madagascar

Exports in kind, t

Madagascar exported 102.6 tonnes of honey in 2020, marking a significant rise of 17.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 74.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 6.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 58.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Comoros, and France were the main destinations for Madagascar's honey exports in kind. Belgium accounted for 41.0% of exports, Comoros for 30.2%, and France for 11.8%, with these three countries together representing 82.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Madagascar's honey export value reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the export volume amounted to 227.3 thousand US dollars, showing a modest reduction of 5.2% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018, at 348.5 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 31.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 227.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and Mauritius remained the principal buyers of honey from Madagascar in value terms. Belgium accounted for 43.3% of exports, France for 29.2%, and Mauritius for 11.8%, jointly making up 84.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports honey to Madagascar

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The highest honey import volume was noted in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 11 times. In 2020, Madagascar imported 1.0 tonne of honey, constituting a steep decline of 90.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019, at 10.9 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 94.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France remained the key source for honey imports to Madagascar, accounting for 71.5% of total imports in kind, while other destinations were much less significant.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The span from 2019 to 2020 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 18 times. In 2020, imported honey volumes in Madagascar amounted to 4.7 thousand US dollars, constituting a sharp decline of 94.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019, at 83.2 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 411.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France remained the main market for imports in value terms, with a share of 82.1% of total flows, while the rest of the volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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