Honey market in Venezuela

Earlier Report Observations

Venezuela's natural honey market volume fluctuated between 586 and 687 tons from 2018 to 2023, with a notable peak in 2021. The period began with an absence of specific legislation regulating beekeeping, which created a challenging environment for sector development. Market volume dipped in 2019 before recovering strongly over the next two years. This growth was significantly supported by a surge in honey imports, which rose to 26.8 tons in 2020 and 20.8 tons in 2021, helping to meet domestic demand.

The market stabilized near its peak in 2022, influenced by several supportive initiatives. That year, the regional government of Miranda organized the Expoferia Café, Flores y Miel to promote non-oil economic activities, including beekeeping. Simultaneously, the family-owned company Mieles Alviario worked to classify and promote Venezuelan honeys by floral type, focusing on consumer education and market expansion. These efforts helped maintain interest in locally produced honey, emphasizing its qualities as a natural sweetener.

Although the market volume contracted in 2023, ongoing promotion of honey's quality, purity, and sustainable production methods continued. The persistence of imports provided an additional supply source throughout the period, while initiatives to position Venezuelan honey in international gourmet and ecological niches laid groundwork for future development.

Production honey in Venezuela

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Venezuela's honey production rebounded after two consecutive years of decline. In 2020, the country produced 607 tonnes of honey, marking a 3.1% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 39.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 15.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 589 tonnes, while the sharpest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018, when output decreased by 37.4%.

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

Exports honey from Venezuela

Exports in kind, kg

Honey exports from Venezuela exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2017 and then dropped to their lowest point in 2020, with a dramatic 71-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Venezuela exported just 53 kilograms of honey, representing a steep 98.5% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when exports surged by 284.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Venezuela's honey exports were entirely concentrated on just two destinations: Curaçao and Panama. Together, these two markets accounted for 100% of Venezuela's honey exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Venezuela's honey exports also showed considerable volatility. Export revenues reached their highest point in 2019, only to plummet to their lowest level in 2020, resulting in a staggering 96-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, honey exports were valued at just 0.1 thousand US dollars, a 99.0% drop from the year before. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 10.8 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 543.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographic structure of Venezuela's honey exports in value terms remained highly concentrated. Panama and Curaçao together accounted for 99.8% of the total export value, with other partners playing only a minor role.

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

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

Imports honey to Venezuela

Imports in kind, kg

Venezuela's honey imports were characterized by high volatility during these years. Import volumes reached their peak in 2017 and then fell to their lowest point in 2018, with a massive 523-fold difference between these two extremes. In 2020, Venezuela imported approximately 26 798 kilograms of honey, which represents an enormous 15 851.0% increase compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at just 114 kilograms, which also saw the largest year-on-year decline of 99.8%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, the United States and Panama were the dominant suppliers of honey to Venezuela. Together, these two countries accounted for 95.5% of Venezuela's total honey imports by volume, with the remaining share coming from other nations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Venezuela's honey imports also displayed significant market volatility. Import values peaked in 2017 before dropping to their lowest level in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 185 times. In 2020, the total value of honey imports reached 115.9 thousand US dollars, which is an 8 380.1% increase relative to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.8 thousand US dollars, a year that also saw the largest year-on-year decline of 99.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Panama continued to be the leading sources of Venezuela's honey imports in value terms. These two markets together accounted for 90.1% of the total import value, while other trading partners played a supplementary role.

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

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