Honey market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the honey market in SADC expanded from 63 773 t to 67 874 t. This growth was primarily fueled by increasing consumer preference for raw and natural honey products, perceived as healthier alternatives. Concurrently, the rise in demand for local raw honey and the introduction of stricter labeling requirements aligned with Codex Alimentarius standards helped build consumer trust and stimulated market volume.

The market faced headwinds in 2020 when Colony Collapse Disorder reduced bee populations, constraining domestic production. However, volume remained stable near 65 924 t as imports rose. A significant surge in imports, mainly from China, pushed the market to a peak in 2021. The following year, enforcement actions against fake honey in informal outlets, part of broader regulatory efforts to protect the industry, contributed to a sharp drop in imports and pulled total market volume down to 63 336 t in 2022.

By 2023, the market recovered to 66 427 t, continuing the overall upward trend observed since 2018 despite intermittent supply and regulatory disruptions.

Production honey in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in SADC has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 61 216 tonnes of honey, showing no significant change compared to the previous year.

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

Exports honey from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, representing a 2.6-fold increase between these years. In 2020, SADC's honey export volume totaled 1 395 tonnes, which is 34.9% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 36.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 162.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, honey exports were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Kenya accounted for 10.6% of exports, Belgium for 6.9%, and the United Kingdom for 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 23.6% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, SADC's honey export value reached 5 877 thousand US dollars, showing a modest increase of 6.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 301 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 20.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom accounted for 7.9% of export value, Belgium for 7.4%, and Norway for 6.3%. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 21.5% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base for SADC's honey exports.

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

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

Imports honey to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Honey imports to SADC have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 6 103 tonnes, which is 5.5% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 4.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 806 tonnes, representing a decline of 17.9% that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 20.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the dominant supplier of honey to SADC, accounting for 58.1% of imports by volume. Portugal contributed 6.2%, and India 1.9%. Together, these three countries formed 66.1% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of honey to SADC have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value stood at 14 734 thousand US dollars, which is 19.1% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 46.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China accounted for 41.6% of import value, Australia for 6.0%, and Portugal for 3.0%. These three countries together represented 50.6% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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