Honey market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in Northern Europe fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 82 198 t and reaching 88 579 t. A contraction to 79 270 t occurred in 2020, but the market rebounded strongly the following year, supported by sustained consumer interest in natural and organic honey. This demand remained firm even as honey prices saw a moderate rise compared to general inflation.

After 2021, market growth steadied, aided by a broader industry focus on sustainability and the entry of small-scale players in adjacent segments like tea and craft beverages. Marketing strategies increasingly embraced digital tools and social media, helping honey products reach consumers more effectively.

By 2024, regulatory changes came to the fore, with Denmark introducing strict placement rules for organic apiaries and requiring 95% organic land for certified honey production. Simultaneously, incidents of adulterated 'potency honey' prompted greater attention to quality control and authenticity testing across the region.

Production honey in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

In 2019, Northern Europe's honey production reached its peak at 24 485 tons, marking an 11.2% increase from the previous year. However, production declined in 2020 to 21 931 tons, representing a 10.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Europe's honey production saw a two-year increase before declining in 2020. In 2019, production value peaked at 134.7 million US dollars, up 10.3% from the previous year. By 2020, the value had fallen sharply to 96.2 million US dollars, a 28.6% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 20.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports honey from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Northern Europe's honey exports have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports totaled 14 257 tons, a 28.5% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 38%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of honey exports in kind was diversified, with no single country holding a dominant position. Germany accounted for 9.8% of exports, Poland for 8.3%, and Spain for 4.0%, together making up just 22.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's honey exports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 62.5 million US dollars, showing a slight improvement of 2.4% over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of honey from Northern Europe in value terms were Germany at 7.8%, Poland at 6.8%, and the United States at 4.3%. Together, they represented only 18.9% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports honey to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2019, Northern Europe's honey imports recorded their largest decline at 1.1%, but rebounded in 2020 to 71 595 tons, a small gain of 2.1% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.9%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 6.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for honey imports in kind were China, Mexico, and Ukraine, which together accounted for 62.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Northern Europe's honey imports increased in 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 191.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 11.1%. In 2020, imports rose to 205.3 million US dollars, a 7.4% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%.

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

The structure of honey imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no country holding a clearly dominant position. China accounted for 23.2% of imports, New Zealand for 17.8%, and Germany for 7.5%, together making up 48.4% of total flows.

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

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