Honey market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, Mexico's honey production was bolstered by ongoing government programs aimed at reviving historical output levels and supporting beekeeping activities. However, adverse climatic factors, including prolonged droughts, along with persistent sanitary challenges such as colony africanization and Varroa destructor mites, repeatedly pressured hive health and productivity. This led to volatile production volumes, while a significant portion of the harvest was directed to export markets, shaping domestic availability.

In the following years, growing global demand for natural and organic honey, driven by health-conscious consumers, strengthened export flows. Infrastructure investments and reduced logistical barriers improved access to key international markets like the United States, Switzerland, and Germany. Concurrently, the implementation of the official standard NOM-004-SAG/GAN-2018 for production specifications helped maintain quality and traceability for exports. Domestically, low per capita consumption due to limited cultural habits around honey use continued to constrain market expansion.

By 2023, the domestic honey market volume recovered to 40.3 thousand tons following a period of relative stability, influenced by shifts in export volumes and production levels.

Production honey in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico ranked 10th globally in honey production volume.

Top producers of honey, 2018-2021

World map of production of honey, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, Mexico's honey production rebounded in 2021, reaching 62 079 tonnes. This marked a 14.6% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, overall production decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 54 165 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of decline, Mexico's honey production value rose in 2021, totaling 231.0 million US dollars. This represented a 7.4% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value fell by 25.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 9.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 215.0 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 17.1% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports honey from Mexico

Exports in kind, t

Mexico's honey exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 25 076 tonnes—a 58.3% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 15 105 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 33.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom—accounted for 80.3% of Mexico's total honey exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Mexico's honey export value increased in 2021 to 93.3 million US dollars, up 48.4% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value declined by 15%, translating to an annualized decrease of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 62.9 million US dollars, while the largest drop of 42.4% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Germany (54.0% of export value), the United States (14.9%), and the United Kingdom (11.3%) formed the core of Mexico's honey exports, collectively representing 80.2% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Imports honey to Mexico

According to the marketing report, Mexico did not import any honey from 2018 to 2021.