Honey market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in Middle Africa expanded steadily from 45 503 t in 2018 to 45 898 t in 2021, driven by a consistent rise in domestic production from 45 160 t to 45 744 t over the same period. This growth occurred amid broader international attention to apiculture standards, such as the European Union's 2018 focus on pollinator health and best practices, which may have encouraged quality improvements in honey production globally.

Between 2022 and 2023, market volume continued to increase, reaching 46 302 t, while production climbed to 46 039 t. Climate change altered honey harvest patterns in some regions during 2022, but in Middle Africa, output remained resilient. The closure of China's market to European honey in 2023 reshaped global trade flows, though Middle Africa's export volumes stayed minimal, indicating that domestic consumption primarily fueled market expansion.

In 2024, the European Union adopted new transparency rules for honey origin labeling, aiming to enhance product quality and traceability. While full market size data for 2024 is not available, import and export figures show sustained trade activity, with imports of 335 t and exports of 24 t, suggesting ongoing market engagement amid evolving regulatory landscapes.

Production honey in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in Middle Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 45 441 tons of honey, maintaining the same level as in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports honey from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 7 tons, then peaked in 2017 with a 4.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of honey from Middle Africa reached 16 tons, representing a 138.0% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 57.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Italy, and Senegal were notable buyers of honey from Middle Africa, accounting for 23.9%, 19.0%, and 6.8% of exports in kind respectively. However, their combined share reached only 49.7% of total exports in kind, indicating they were not dominant in the market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 5 000 US dollars, then reached their highest level in 2020 with a 7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 35 000 US dollars worth of honey, marking a 603.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 84.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nigeria, Namibia, and Italy formed the main group of destinations for honey exports from Middle Africa in value terms, with shares of 46.7%, 17.8%, and 8.8% respectively. Together, they accounted for 73.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports honey to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020, then peaked in 2017 with a 6.6-fold swing between these years. In 2020, honey deliveries to Middle Africa totaled 221 tons, representing a significant decrease of 40.4% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 75.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, France, and the United Arab Emirates were the main sources of honey imports to Middle Africa in kind, accounting for 65.7%, 11.9%, and 2.3% of imports respectively. Together, they absorbed 79.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign honey supplies to Middle Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 553 000 US dollars, which is 35.7% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 49.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.4%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Portugal, France, and Spain formed the main cluster of markets for honey imports to Middle Africa in value terms, with shares of 40.5%, 18.5%, and 5.8% respectively. Their combined share reached 64.8% of total import flows.

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

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