Over the past decade, Ukrainian honey producers have significantly strengthened their positions on the world market. In 2012, Ukraine exported more than 10,000 tons, and in 2023 this figure will increase fivefold. This is reported by UCAB.
In 2024, despite the challenges of the great war, Ukrainian honey continues to show a steady positive dynamics in world markets. In the first three months of the year, exports of honey amounted to more than 23,000 tons, equivalent to 44 million U.S. dollars in value terms. The largest demand is seen steadily in the European Union, particularly in Germany, Poland and France, which now account for almost half of foreign exchange earnings.
For several years in a row, Ukraine has been one of the five largest exporters of honey. According to the results of last year, Ukraine ranked fourth among the traditional world leaders in honey exports:
No. 1: China (152.6 thousand tons);
No. 2: India (98.7 thousand tons);
No. 3: Argentina (68.9 thousand tons);
No. 4: Ukraine (55.4 thousand tons);
No. 5: Brazil (28.5 thousand tons).
The main market for Ukrainian honey is the European Union, which brought in USD 112 million (92% of total sales) in 2023. The largest sales destinations are Germany (14.1 000 tons), Poland (8.8 000 tons), France (5.9 000 tons), Spain (3.3 000 tons), Italy (3.2 000 tons), Greece (2.8 000 tons), Romania (2.6 000 tons).
Thus, for the third year in a row, Ukraine became the second largest exporter of honey to the EU after China (52,000 tons in 2023). Ukrainian honey is also sold in other markets, such as the USA, Turkey, Great Britain, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Qatar and Jordan.
These results were made possible by favorable trade conditions. Thus, the liberalization of trade with the European Union has changed the situation regarding quotas, which were previously established in a few days. Therefore, in 2023, Ukrainian beekeepers were guaranteed access to European consumers.
Source: AgroNews
