Honey market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the natural honey market volume in Thailand expanded from 20 287 t to 26 609 t. This growth coincided with a concerted push to elevate Thai honey's profile for export. Government and industry bodies actively promoted a new 'World-Friendly Honey' label for tropical honey, aiming to differentiate it from lower-quality imports and capture higher prices. Simultaneously, the huge and quality-conscious Chinese market, with its annual consumption of around 300 000 t and consumer distrust of domestic products, emerged as a key target, encouraging Thai producers to invest in meeting international standards.

The market volume contracted to 20 486 t in 2021, primarily due to a significant surge in exports that reduced domestic availability. This export drive was fueled by a regulatory push to raise honey quality to meet international standards and a government-backed campaign promoting sustainability and traceability to satisfy foreign buyers. A recovery followed in 2022-2023, with the volume reaching 26 971 t. During this period, the signing of a formal honey-trade protocol with China obligated exporters to meet stringent quality specifications, which structured export flows. Furthermore, a post-COVID-19 surge in health-conscious demand for natural sweeteners spurred new premium product lines and increased retail presence, supporting domestic consumption.

Industry efforts to combat counterfeit honey and calls for stricter certification aimed to protect genuine production and consumer trust. The official launch of the 'World-Friendly Honey' standard in 2024 provided a certified label for traceable tropical honey, solidifying quality positioning that had been developed over the preceding years and contributing to a reported 25% rise in shipments to China.

Production honey in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in South-eastern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 38 557 tonnes of honey, which remained nearly unchanged compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, honey output in South-eastern Asia was valued at 153.2 million US dollars, marking a 12.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 27.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 19.9%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports honey from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year reduction, foreign honey supplies from South-eastern Asia increased in 2020. Exports amounted to 24 276 tonnes, representing a 5.5% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 23 016 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for honey exports in kind from South-eastern Asia were the United States, accounting for 54.3% of exports, Asia not elsewhere specified at 9.7%, and China at 5.0%. Together, these three markets represented 69.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, honey deliveries from South-eastern Asia increased in 2020. Exports amounted to 96.5 million US dollars, marking a strong advance of 18.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 81.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline also occurring in 2019 at 20.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the principal buyers of honey from South-eastern Asia in value terms were the United States, accounting for 64.0% of exports, Asia not elsewhere specified at 6.2%, and China at 3.2%. Jointly, these three markets accounted for 73.5% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports honey to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, honey shipments to South-eastern Asia from abroad totalled 12 329 tonnes, equivalent to a 32.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 26.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 9 300 tonnes, with the largest decline also occurring in 2019 at 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for honey imports in kind to South-eastern Asia was balanced rather than concentrated. China accounted for 26.6% of imports, Australia for 10.0%, and New Zealand for 7.7%. Together, these three countries represented 44.4% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 55.6%.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year loss, honey shipments to South-eastern Asia from abroad increased in 2020. The region imported a total of 67.6 million US dollars of honey, indicating an intense increase of 38.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 23%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 48.8 million US dollars, with the largest decline also occurring in 2019 at 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for honey imports in value terms to South-eastern Asia were New Zealand, accounting for 29.8% of imports, Australia at 13.4%, and China at 12.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 55.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020