Honey market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market volume in Nepal expanded from 4 560 tons in 2018 to 6 237 tons in 2022, driven by rising domestic and international demand for natural and organic products. This growth was supported by the emergence of new market segments, including honey-hunting tourism and premium honey varieties, which attracted consumer interest and increased market access through e-commerce platforms.

A significant boost occurred in 2021 when major player Surya Nepal launched new organic and Himalayan chestnut honey products, enhancing traceability and branding for export markets. This, coupled with the global reach facilitated by online sales channels, helped lift domestic production to 5 168 tons in 2022. However, in 2023, reported climate change impacts began affecting bee populations and flowering patterns, contributing to a production decline to 4 308 tons and a subsequent market volume contraction to 4 789 tons.

Throughout the period, regulatory evolution focused on sustainable harvesting practices, quality certification, and stricter labeling requirements to meet international standards. Infrastructure investments, such as local testing laboratories and capacity-building initiatives, were also pursued to improve the sector's competitiveness and product quality.

Production honey in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Nepal produced 3 795 tonnes of honey in 2020, marking a 4.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of -1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 980 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 0.8%.

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

Exports honey from Nepal

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 8 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 77.5% recorded that year. In 2020, cross-border shipments of honey from Nepal amounted to 10 tonnes, representing a significant 18.0% improvement compared to 2019. Exports peaked in 2017, with a fivefold difference between the peak and trough years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and India clearly dominated Nepal's honey export structure in volume terms, while other countries together accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. The minimum export value was recorded in 2019 at 30 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 71.0%. In 2020, Nepal's honey export volume reached 57 thousand US dollars, a substantial 90.1% increase from the previous year. The maximum value occurred in 2018 at 104 thousand US dollars, with the span from 2018 to 2019 showing a peak-to-trough amplitude of 3.5 times.

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

During 2017-2020, India (39.1% of exports by value), China (30.9%), and Malaysia (9.4%) formed the main cluster of markets for Nepal's honey exports in monetary terms, together accounting for 79.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports honey to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

Nepal's honey import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 188 tonnes, up 66.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 199.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 44.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nepal's honey imports in volume terms showed pronounced dependence on India, which accounted for 99.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Nepal's honey import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 1 889 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 48.9% advance compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 155.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 36.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, honey imports to Nepal were supplied almost exclusively from India, which absorbed 99.3% of total imports by value.

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

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