Honey market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in Saudi Arabia experienced fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023, starting at 19 703 tons and reaching a peak of 24 428 tons in 2019. After 2019, market size gradually declined, dropping to 20 810 tons by 2023. This overall decrease occurred despite significant changes in the supply structure.

Domestic honey production saw a dramatic increase, rising from just 136 tons in 2018 to 5 833 tons in 2023. This growth in local output coincided with a reduction in imports, which fell from over 27 000 tons in 2019 to 18 430 tons in 2023. Exports remained relatively stable, ranging between 2 000 and 3 700 tons annually.

Production honey in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Saudi Arabia's honey production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 160 tonnes of honey, marking a dramatic surge of 1 473.6% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 1 563.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 155.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports honey from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

Saudi Arabia's honey exports have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 2 161 tonnes of honey, representing a 24.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports fell by 55.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 23.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia's honey exports were widely distributed across various countries. The top three destinations—the United Arab Emirates (29.8% of exports in kind), Jordan (10.1%), and Kuwait (10.0%)—collectively accounted for just 49.9% of total exports, while the remaining 50.1% was spread among numerous other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market for honey showed an unstable trend during this period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2.5-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Saudi Arabia exported honey worth 26.8 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 125.4% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11.9 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 52.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (31.3% of exports in value terms), Yemen (18.0%), and Oman (9.1%) were the largest contributors to Saudi Arabia's honey exports by value. Together, these three countries accounted for 58.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports honey to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Saudi Arabia's honey imports decreased. In 2020, imports totaled 24 114 tonnes, which is 11.1% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 46.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 13.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 27 135 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 37.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia's honey imports in kind came from a diverse range of markets. The top three suppliers—Germany (17.5% of imports in kind), Pakistan (14.9%), and China (10.4%)—jointly represented only 42.8% of total imports, with the rest sourced from many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Saudi Arabia's honey imports amounted to 107.7 million US dollars, corresponding to a 42.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 59.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 16.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 2.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Saudi Arabia's honey imports in value terms. Germany (22.5% of imports in value terms), Yemen (12.2%), and Pakistan (11.8%) together accounted for just 46.5% of total imports, while many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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