The global honey market was valued at USD 8.92 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 25.8 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of over 5.3% during the forecast period (2028-2022).
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), global honey production reached 1.88 million tons in 2020. The global increase in the honey market was mainly seen in Asia, where honey consumption increased by 18% from 2015 to 2021. Europe also recorded an 8% growth in honey consumption during the same period. Global demand for agricultural products is increasingly driving up prices, and this has increased the popularity of honey among consumers.
According to the global honey market report, various reasons are responsible for increasing the demand for honey in different regions. First, increasing awareness of the health benefits associated with honey consumption is likely to increase demand in developed countries. Second, rising incomes and consumers’ growing desire for healthier foods are encouraging people to include more honey in their diets. In addition, strict food safety regulations coupled with increased awareness of the less harmful effects of certain types of bacteria on human health are increasing the demand for natural products such as honey in these regions.
What is happening in the global honey market? European honey bee populations have been in rapid decline for years, but the problem really started to worsen after 2006, when worldwide honey production began to increase. Honey producers responded by increasing their acreage to produce honey, and this increase in demand led to the intensification of beekeeping practices (known as “bird” or “chain” farming) in the global honey market, which requires the installation of very high density bee colonies. Is. Near products that are fed with corn syrup. By 2021, there will be more than 94 million hives worldwide, up from 80 million in 2010.
The world honey market production is concentrated in India and China
Global honey production totaled 1.88 million tons in 2020, according to SkyQuest analysis. Asia Pacific was responsible for producing more than half of it. India has traditionally been the world leader in honey production. In 2021, its honey production was 11% higher than that of China. The country is also home to the majority of commercial beekeepers in the world (82%). On the other hand, China is slowly increasing its share of the global honey market. Its output grew by 5% from 2020 to 2021, which puts it slightly ahead of India’s growth rate during this period (4%). In fact, China is the largest producer of honey worldwide. This country has produced more than 458 thousand tons of honey in 2021.
The main factors behind India’s dominance in the global honey market are its large population and geographical diversity. The country has more than 20 different climate zones, which means that bee habitats across the country are very diverse. In addition, many state governments have implemented special schemes to promote beekeeping and stimulate honey production. China has been able to increase its share of the global honey market because it has a much larger population than India. In addition, China has created a significant domestic demand for honey due to its growing economy.
On the other hand, India has the largest population of beehives at around 12.2 million. New Zealand emerged as the largest exporter of honey. In 2020, this country exported 330 million dollars of honey, followed by China. The United States was the largest importer of honey, importing 441 million dollars of honey.
Top trends in the honey market: The growing shift towards flavored honey
1. Go for flavored honeys
Although the most common type of honey is virgin and simply extracted from flowers, there is a growing demand for flavored honeys as consumers become more adventurous with their food choices. From fruity honeys to spiced versions, there are a variety of flavors to choose from to suit a wider range of dietary preferences.
2. Increasing the exploitation of wild flowers for honey production
While some farmers still extract honey from domesticated plants such as beets or carrots, many in the global honey market are turning to sources such as wildflowers to meet the increased demand for natural sweeteners. These farms not only help restore ecosystems damaged by commercial farming practices, but also provide an alternative income stream to small-scale farmers who might otherwise struggle to find other profitable ventures.
3. Reduction of honey production in Europe
Since the beginning of 2015, honey production in Europe has gradually decreased. Some of the main reasons for the decline in honey production in this region are resistance to insecticides and competition with cheaper imported alternatives. Despite the challenges, there are still a few European countries that are strong honey producers. The overall trend in the honey market is clear – honey consumption is declining and Europeans are turning to processed Luna as their primary sweetener.
4. Many large companies are starting to invest in smaller, more specialized honey producers. This change has allowed some interesting new products to enter the market – from plant-based and gluten-free honeys to flavored honeys. General grocery stores have also started offering more specialty brands of honey in the honey market!
5. Global resurgence of native wisdom in honey production
With bee populations declining around the world, interest in sustainable beekeeping practices is once again on the rise. One such method used by some indigenous communities is to incorporate wild flower species into their hives as supplemental nutrition. This approach helps improve pollination and biodiversity while also providing valuable minerals and other nutrients critical to the proper functioning of the hive. Additionally, there has recently been a rise in holistic health treatments using beeswax, including mummy wristbands.