Honey market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Polynesian honey market was shaped by efforts to enhance local product quality and market access. In 2018, a study characterizing Polynesian honeys through pollen identification aimed to improve labeling and differentiation, while mandatory hive registration strengthened traceability. The following year, the resumption of honey imports under new sanitary conditions revised trade flows, and industry professionalism increased with quality competitions that prepared the sector for export. This preparation contributed to a spike in exports reaching 19.5 t in 2020, which reduced domestic market volume to 323.6 t, even as local production was encouraged through the promotion of typical multi-floral honeys and beekeeper training.

The market rebounded in 2021 as exports fell back to minimal levels, allowing market size to reach 345.2 t. This period coincided with the Agricultural Master Plan 2021-2030, which proposed a price and margin observatory for food products including honey to improve market regulation. In 2022, the market remained stable at 344.9 t despite a drop in production, as imports surged to 11.2 t. A law enacted that year regulated prices of essential goods like honey, potentially influencing local consumption patterns and pricing.

In 2023, honey production declined further to 332.5 t, and with imports at 7.7 t and no exports, the market size settled at 340.2 t. Early data for 2024 shows imports of 7.0 t and negligible exports, indicating a continued reliance on foreign supply to meet domestic demand amid lower local output.

Production honey in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

In 2019, honey production in Polynesia reached 338.6 tonnes, showing relative stability compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 335.3 tonnes, which represented a 2.5% decline. Production then rebounded in 2019 with a 1.4% increase.

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

Exports honey from Polynesia

Exports in kind, kg

In 2020, honey exports from Polynesia amounted to 19 503 kg, showing little change from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports surged by 15 848.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 442.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Poland dominated Polynesia's honey exports in volume, accounting for 99.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

In 2020, the value of honey exports from Polynesia totaled 36 301 US dollars, remaining similar to 2019 levels. Between 2018 and 2020, export values increased by 6 050.8%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 294.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Polynesia's honey exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Poland, which represented 96.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports honey to Polynesia

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, honey imports into Polynesia reached 4 507 kg, marking a 27.9% increase from 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 524 kg, which represented a 61.3% decline from the peak of 9 110 kg in 2018. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 42.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 17.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the primary source for honey imports into Polynesia in volume terms, holding a 76.3% share of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Honey imports into Polynesia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value stood at 31 216 US dollars, a 38.1% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values fell by 60.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 26.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand and the United States were the dominant sources for honey imports into Polynesia in value terms. New Zealand accounted for 88.2% of total flows, while the United States contributed 10.4%, together making up 98.6% of total import value.

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

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