Honey market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in the MENA region expanded from 144.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 158.2 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was initiated by Saudi Arabia's plans to maximize domestic honey production and increase its economic return through sectoral support and efficiency improvements, part of broader economic diversification efforts.

Production faced significant challenges around 2021, including the spread of the Varroa parasite and climate change impacting nectar sources, alongside increased pesticide use. Despite these pressures, the total market volume continued its upward trajectory, supported by consistently strong domestic demand highlighted by Saudi Arabia's position as the largest Arab honey importer.

By 2024, market dynamics were shaped by competitive pressures from low-priced imports in the UAE, driving local beekeepers to focus on quality and marketing of honey from local plants. Concurrently, substantial government investments in Egypt's agricultural sector and the persistent issues of climate change and pests continued to influence the production landscape.

Production honey in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

In 2019, honey production in MENA experienced its largest decline of 1.5%. However, production rebounded in 2020, reaching 110.7 thousand tons, which represents a 3.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 2.3%. The most significant growth occurred in 2018, with a notable increase of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports honey from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2019, honey exports from MENA hit their lowest point at 2,702 tons, marking a substantial decline of 72.1% from the previous year. However, exports surged dramatically in 2020 to 18,326 tons, reflecting a steep year-over-year increase of 578.2%. This fluctuation resulted in a 6.8-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for honey exports in kind was highly diversified. Indonesia accounted for 3.3% of exports, Pakistan for 2.9%, and Malaysia for 2.2%, with these three countries together forming only 8.3% of total flows. The remaining 91.7% was distributed across many other countries, highlighting a wide and varied export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. In 2019, honey exports from MENA in value terms reached their minimum at 37.3 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 26.2% recorded in 2018. However, exports rebounded sharply in 2020, standing at 77.6 million US dollars, which represents a dramatic increase of 108.1% compared to the previous year. This resulted in a 2.1-fold gap between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Malaysia were the largest group of buyers of honey from MENA in value terms, accounting for 2.9%, 2.4%, and 1.9% of exports, respectively. However, their combined contribution was limited to just 7.1% of total exports, reflecting a highly diversified country structure with many other partners involved.

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

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

Imports honey to MENA

Imports in kind, t

Honey imports into MENA increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 56,611 tons, which corresponds to a substantial year-over-year improvement of 17.5%. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 46.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, honey imports in kind were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. India accounted for 14.7% of imports, Germany for 11.4%, and Pakistan for 9.6%, with these three countries jointly representing just 35.6% of total flows. This indicates a broad and varied import structure with many other suppliers.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, honey imports into MENA in value terms recorded their minimum at 168.3 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 3.0% occurring that year. However, imports rebounded in 2020, reaching 237.0 million US dollars, up by 40.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 40.5%, averaging an annualized rate of 12.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, honey imports in value terms to MENA were not concentrated on a few key markets. Germany accounted for 16.0% of imports, India for 8.4%, and Pakistan for 6.3%, with these three countries jointly representing only 30.7% of total flows. This underscores a diversified import structure with contributions from numerous other countries.

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

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