Honey market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in Southern Europe showed considerable volatility in volume between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 159.9 thousand tonnes in 2018, the market contracted over the next three years, reaching a low of 133.5 thousand tonnes in 2021.

This trend reversed sharply in 2022, with market volume jumping to 169.9 thousand tonnes, the highest point in the period. The following year, 2023, saw a moderation to 153.0 thousand tonnes, still significantly above the 2021 trough.

In value terms, the market mirrored this pattern, declining from $726.9 million in 2018 to $553.9 million in 2020 before recovering. It peaked at $842.6 million in 2022, then fell to $681.5 million in 2023, indicating the 2022 surge involved both higher volume and elevated price levels.

Production honey in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

In 2020, Southern Europe produced 105.5 K t of honey, marking a 2.5% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 11.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 27.3%, reaching a peak of 120.4 K t. However, the following year saw the largest decline, dropping by 14.6% in 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of honey production in Southern Europe reached 552.3 M $ US, showing a modest rise of 2.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 691.6 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 30.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline, with a drop of 22.2%.

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

Exports honey from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Southern Europe's honey exports rebounded in 2020. The region exported 37 024 t of honey, representing a solid increase of 21.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 6.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 30 559 t, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 7.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of honey exports in kind from Southern Europe was diversified. France accounted for 20.2% of exports, Germany for 17.4%, and the United Kingdom for 4.1%. Together, these three countries made up just 41.7% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of reduction, the value of honey exports from Southern Europe increased in 2020. Export volume amounted to 193.8 M $ US, up 21.4% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 159.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 13.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for honey exports in value terms from Southern Europe was quite broad. France represented 22.7% of exports, Germany 19.0%, and the United Kingdom 4.7%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 46.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports honey to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Southern Europe imported 66 990 t of honey, reflecting a small increase of 2.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was in 2018 at 71 578 t, which also saw the largest increase of 6.6%. The minimum was in 2019 at 65 305 t, with the largest decline of 8.8% occurring that year.

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

The structure of honey imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. China accounted for 20.4% of imports, Hungary for 13.9%, and Bulgaria for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 42.8% of total flows, while the remaining 57.2% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe imported approximately 195.4 M $ US worth of honey, showing a rise of 7.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 219.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 7.3%. The minimum was in 2019 at 182.5 M $ US, with the largest decline of 17.0% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market base for honey imports in value terms was wide. Hungary accounted for 19.3% of imports, China for 11.7%, and Germany for 7.3%. Jointly, these three countries made up just 38.3% of total flows, with the remaining 61.7% shared by numerous other countries.

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

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