The EU Honey Market Slipped Back Slightly to $1.4B

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'EU - Honey - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

In 2019, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the EU honey market, when its value decreased by -6.1% to $1.4B. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 with an increase of 17% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $1.5B in 2018, and then declined in the following year.

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of honey consumption in 2019 were Germany (69K tons), France (52K tons) and the UK (45K tons), with a combined 38% share of total consumption. These countries were followed by Spain, Poland, Italy, Greece, Romania, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Croatia, which together accounted for a further 47%.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Croatia, while honey consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest honey markets in the European Union were Germany ($214M), France ($184M) and Greece ($133M), with a combined 37% share of the total market. These countries were followed by the UK, Italy, Spain, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Croatia and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 45%.

The countries with the highest levels of honey per capita consumption in 2019 were Croatia (2.59 kg per person), Greece (2.47 kg per person) and Romania (1.13 kg per person).

Market Forecast 2019-2030

Driven by increasing demand for honey in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2019 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 533K tons by the end of 2030.

Production in the EU

For the third year in a row, the European Union recorded growth in production of honey, which increased by 3.1% to 257K tons in 2019. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 22% year-to-year. The volume of production peaked in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, honey production shrank to $1.1B in 2019 estimated in export prices. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

Production by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of honey production in 2019 were Spain (37K tons), Romania (31K tons) and Hungary (29K tons), with a combined 38% share of total production. These countries were followed by Poland, Greece, Germany, France, Bulgaria, Portugal, Croatia, Italy and the Czech Republic, which together accounted for a further 52%.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of honey production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Croatia, while honey production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports in the EU

Honey exports expanded to 165K tons in 2019, surging by 2.5% on 2018. Total exports indicated a measured increase from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, exports decreased by -4.7% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 20% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at 173K tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, honey exports shrank to $693M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. Total exports indicated prominent growth from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last twelve-year period.

Exports by Country

In 2019, Germany (26K tons), Spain (22K tons), Hungary (21K tons), Belgium (18K tons), Poland (17K tons), Bulgaria (12K tons) and Romania (11K tons) was the largest exporter of honey in the European Union, achieving 78% of total export. Portugal (6.5K tons), Italy (5K tons), France (4.9K tons), the UK (3.7K tons) and Denmark (3.3K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Poland, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest honey supplying countries in the European Union were Germany ($138M), Spain ($89M) and Hungary ($85M), together comprising 45% of total exports. These countries were followed by Belgium, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, France, the UK, Italy, Denmark and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 46%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the honey export price in the European Union amounted to $4,192 per ton, with a decrease of -7.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2019, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the export price increased by 17% year-to-year. The level of export peaked at $4,844 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, export prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was the UK ($7,966 per ton), while Portugal ($1,918 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports in the EU

In 2019, after two years of growth, there was decline in purchases abroad of honey, when their volume decreased by -1.2% to 345K tons. Total imports indicated notable growth from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 13% year-to-year. The volume of import peaked at 349K tons in 2018, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, honey imports contracted to $994M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last twelve years.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Germany (75K tons), distantly followed by the UK (49K tons), France (39K tons), Poland (30K tons), Spain (27K tons), Belgium (25K tons), Italy (25K tons) and the Netherlands (17K tons) were the largest importers of honey, together achieving 83% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Poland, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest honey importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($228M), France ($138M) and the UK ($111M), with a combined 48% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and Spain, which together accounted for a further 33%.

Import Prices by Country

The honey import price in the European Union stood at $2,879 per ton in 2019, which is down by -9.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2019, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 an increase of 27% year-to-year. The level of import peaked at $3,633 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, import prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($4,051 per ton), while Poland ($2,084 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform