Honey market in Melanesia

Earlier Report Observations

Following 2018, honey production declined from 650.3 t in 2018 to 549.9 t in 2020, with market volume falling from 715.0 t to 616.7 t. In 2018, European regulators examined pollinator health and honey quality, potentially influencing market standards. Industry consolidation occurred in 2020 when Léa Nature acquired Famille Mary, marking a significant structural shift.

From 2021 onward, production recovered, reaching 838.6 t in 2023, and market volume grew to 931.5 t. This expansion was driven by favorable beekeeping campaigns in 2022 and 2023, which boosted harvests. Concurrently, rising consumer interest in honey as a natural and health-beneficial sweetener supported demand.

In 2024, the market saw new entrants like Lucien Georgelin offering 100% French honey, along with increased emphasis on origin and quality certifications such as AOP and IGP. Supermarket sales showed value growth but volume contraction, while major players like Famille Michaud Apiculteurs maintained significant market shares.

Production honey in Melanesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in Melanesia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 549.9 tonnes of honey, which represents a 12.9% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 6.5%, averaging an annual decline of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 650.3 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 10.6% that year.

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

Exports honey from Melanesia

Exports in kind, kg

In 2020, honey exports from Melanesia totaled 641 kilograms, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 364.5%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 66.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Melanesia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France was the dominant partner for Melanesia's honey exports in volume terms, accounting for 79.7% of total shipments. Other markets played a smaller role, making up the remainder of the export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, the value of honey exports from Melanesia was 7.1 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 39.3% drop from 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France remained the primary market for Melanesia's honey exports in value terms, holding a 73.4% share of total export revenue. The remaining volume was distributed among various other destinations.

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

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

Imports honey to Melanesia

Imports in kind, kg

The import market showed significant volatility in these years. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 33 208 kilograms, while the highest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2 times. In 2020, Melanesia imported a total of {value_last_year} kilograms of honey, representing a dramatic 103.0% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 48.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Melanesia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Australia was the leading supplier of honey to Melanesia in volume terms, accounting for 88.6% of total imports. Other countries shared the remaining import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, honey imports into Melanesia increased in 2020. The region imported 232.0 thousand US dollars worth of honey that year, indicating a 3.2% advance from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 51.7%, which averages to an annual decline of 21.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 224.8 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 44.7% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, honey imports into Melanesia in value terms were heavily concentrated on Australia, which accounted for 84.4% of total import flows. Other countries together made up the remaining {rest_share}%.

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

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