• Analysis and Studies
• Honey: import and export

Honey, a natural sweetener, is made by honeybees from the nectar they gather from flowers. It primarily consists of sugars, especially fructose and glucose, along with small amounts of water, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Additionally, honey contains antioxidants, such as flavonoids, which contribute to its health benefits. The type of flowers bees visit affects the honey's flavor, color, and properties, leading to varieties like clover, manuka, and acacia honey. Raw honey, which is unprocessed, retains more of its nutrients, whereas processed honey is often heated and filtered, which can diminish some of its beneficial qualities.

Honey is highly valued for its health-promoting properties. It's an excellent natural energy source and has antibacterial and wound-healing abilities, particularly in the case of manuka honey, and is also commonly used to ease sore throats and coughs. With its rich antioxidant content, honey can help protect the body from oxidative damage and may reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.

For thousands of years, honey has held cultural significance, being used in ancient medicines, religious practices, and symbolic traditions. However, it is not without risks: honey should never be given to infants under one year old due to the potential for botulism. Furthermore, while it's a healthier alternative to refined sugar, honey is still high in calories and should be consumed in moderation.

In 2022, honey was the world's 710th most traded product, with a total trade of $2.69B, and between 2021 and 2022 the exports decreased by -0.16%, from $2.69B to $2.69B.

In 2022 the country which exported honey the most was New Zealand, with a trade of $273M, followed by China ($267M), Argentina ($252M), India ($242M), and Brazil ($139M). Whereas the most significant importer was the United States, with a trade of $745M, ahead of Germany ($317M), Japan ($160M), France ($128M), and United Kingdom ($117M).

We can observe that global honey trade is marked by distinct export strategies among top producers. New Zealand and China spread their exports across various regions, tapping into markets in the United States, Asia, and Europe, reflecting their diversified trade approach.

In contrast, Argentina, India, and Brazil heavily rely on the United States as their primary buyer, sending the majority of their honey there, which underscores both strong bilateral ties and potential risks from market dependency. These patterns highlight varying degrees of market reach and economic reliance among the world's leading honey exporters.

1. New Zealand (10.2%): 21.6% United States, 13.9% China, 9.34% Australia, 9.13% United Kingdom, 8.49% Germany, 8.27% Japan, 4.9% Singapore, 4.43% Hong Kong, 4.02% Canada, 3.55% Saudi Arabia
2. China (9.94%): 23.7% Japan, 19.6% United Kingdom, 10.5% Belgium, 9.04% Poland, 5.41% Saudi Arabia, 4.44% Netherlands, 4.22% Spain, 2.71% Australia, 2.66% Germany, 2.22% Portugal
3. Argentina (9.39%): 60.7% United States, 16.7% Germany, 4.58% Japan, 4.5% Spain, 2.25% Belgium, 1.88% France
4. India (8.99%): 86.2% United States, 4.16% United Arab Emirates, 1.41% Saudi Arabia, 0.79% Morocco
5. Brazil (5.16%): 75.8% United States, 9.69% Germany, 8.12% Canada, 1.99% United Kingdom

The imports portfolio is dominated by the United States, followed by Germany, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom. The United States sources most of its honey from India, Argentina, and Brazil, highlighting strong trade connections with key producers.

Germany and Japan show more diversity in their supply chains, with Germany importing from Mexico, Argentina, and Ukraine, while Japan relies heavily on China, Canada, and New Zealand. France’s imports are centered around European suppliers, especially Spain, while the United Kingdom is notably dependent on China, which supplies nearly half of its honey. These trends reveal distinct import strategies, with some countries relying on diverse sources and others concentrated on a few key suppliers.

1. United States (27.7%): 27.9% India, 20.65% Argentina,14.1% Brazil, 7.93% New Zealand, 6.7% Mexico, 3.88% Vietnam, 1.39% Ukraine
2. Germany (11.8%): 13.6% Mexico, 13.3% Argentina, 12.1% Ukraine, 7.31% New Zealand, 5.83% Romania, 5.16% Hungary, 4.23% Brazil, 3.99% Spain, 3.48% Poland, 3.26% Cuba, 2.24% China
3. Japan (5.96%): 39.6% China, 15.3% Canada, 14.1% New Zealand, 7.21% Argentina, 6.22% Hungary, 2.49% Romania, 1.33% United States,1.15% Ukraine
4. France (4.76%): 28.6% Spain, 14% Germany, 8.58% Ukraine, 8.1% Belgium, 7% Hungary, 5.34% Poland, 3.71% Argentina, 1.61% New Zealand
5. United Kingdom (4.34%): 44.8% China, 21.4% New Zealand, 3.84% Spain, 3.62% Poland, 2.36% Brazil, 1.77% Germany, 1.72% Mexico, 1.57% Hungary, 1.3% Ukraine, 1.25% Argentina

Between 2021 and 2022, the fastest growing exporter was India, with an increase of $95.8M, ahead of Argentina ($35.9M), China ($28.8M), Canada ($20.5M), and Turkey ($16.7M).

1. India: from $146M to $242M
2. Argentina: from $217M to $252M
3. China: from $238M to $267M
4. Canada: from $36.9M to $57.5M
5. Turkey: from $30.6M to $47.3M

Whereas the country with a fastest growth in imports was the United States, with an increase of $127M, followed by Canada ($11.8M), Kuwait ($8.95M), Portugal ($6.8M), and Spain ($6.07M).

1. United States: from $619M to $745M
2. Canada: from $47.3M to $59.2M
3. Kuwait: from $16.7M to $25.7M
4. Portugal: from $21.7M to $28.5M
5. Spain: from $80.6M to $86.6M

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