Honey market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, honey production in Western Asia increased, supported by beekeepers' adoption of continuous parasite monitoring, effective control techniques, and more resilient bee breeds, alongside a strong local market and high consumption of natural honey. This encouraged higher output, with production rising from 129.8 thousand tons to 132.7 thousand tons, while the overall market volume expanded from 157.2 thousand tons to 168.4 thousand tons.

After a contraction in 2020 and 2021, production surged to 149.6 thousand tons in 2022, lifting the market to 171.1 thousand tons. In 2023, production fell to 142.1 thousand tons as competition from imported honey at lower prices and variable quality intensified, prompting local beekeepers to focus on improving product quality and marketing, particularly for honey sourced from local plants. Concurrently, consumer interest in natural honey as a health‑conscious and therapeutic product continued to grow, underpinning demand even as market volume eased slightly to 167.4 thousand tons.

Production honey in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Asia produced 130.1 thousand tons of honey, marking a slight decrease of 1.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 2.8%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 129.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 3.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, honey production in Western Asia experienced a decline. In 2020, the value of honey output reached 555.7 million US dollars, representing an 18.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 8.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 680.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 32.3%.

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

Exports honey from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 9,668 tons, before peaking in 2020 at 20,363 tons—a 2.1-fold increase. In 2020, Western Asia's honey exports showed a dramatic year-over-year improvement of 110.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 30.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of honey exports from Western Asia was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 17.1% of exports in volume, the United States for 12.6%, and Indonesia for 1.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 31.5% of total export flows, with the remaining 68.5% distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2019 at 49.6 million US dollars, before reaching their maximum in 2020 at 86.9 million US dollars—a 1.8-fold difference. In 2020, Western Asia's honey exports reflected a dramatic increase of 75.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 25.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, honey exports from Western Asia in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Germany accounted for 14.5% of export value, the United States for 9.7%, and Indonesia for 1.7%. Collectively, these three countries captured only 25.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports honey to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Foreign honey supplies to Western Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Western Asia imported 53,364 tons of honey, up by 17.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 42.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 12.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Germany, and Pakistan were the largest suppliers of honey to Western Asia in volume terms, accounting for 13.2%, 12.1%, and 10.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 35.7% of total imports, against a backdrop of numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of honey imports to Western Asia totaled 225.3 million US dollars, marking a 40.4% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 38.3%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 11.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 160.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, honey imports to Western Asia in value terms were spread across many countries. Germany accounted for 16.6% of import value, India for 7.6%, and Pakistan for 6.6%. Together, these three countries jointly represented only 30.8% of total import flows.

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

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