EU imported €359.3 million worth of honey in 2023

In 2023,  EU members imported 163 700 tonnes of natural honey from extra-EU countries, worth €359.3 million. At the same time, just 24 900 tonnes were exported by the EU members outside the EU, valued at €146.0 million.

Compared with 2013, honey imports from outside the EU increased by 20% (from 136 300 to 163 700 tonnes) and exports to extra-EU countries rose by 14% (from 21 700 to 24 900 tonnes).

Main partners: China for imports, UK for exports

In 2023, imports of honey from countries outside of the EU came mainly from China (60 200 tonnes, or 37% of total extra-EU honey imports), followed by Ukraine (45 800 tonnes, 28%), Argentina (20 400 tonnes, 12%), Mexico (10 700 tonnes, 7%) and Cuba (4 700 tonnes, 3%).

Source dataset: ds-045409

The United Kingdom emerged as the primary export partner in 2023, receiving the largest share of EU honey exports (4 300 tonnes, or 17% of all extra-EU honey exports). Following closely were Saudi Arabia (3 500 tonnes, 14%), Switzerland (3 400 tonnes, 13%), the United States (3 300 tonnes, 13%) and Japan (2 500 tonnes, 10%).

Germany - the largest importer of honey

In 2023, Germany was the largest EU importer of honey within the EU, importing 41 000 tonnes of honey from countries outside of the EU, or 25% of all EU imports. Belgium was the second largest importer (31 400 tonnes, 19%), ahead of Poland (23 300 tonnes, 14%), Spain (15 700 tonnes, 10%) and France (7 700 tonnes, 5%).

Spain took the lead as the biggest exporter, sending 7 100 tonnes of honey to countries outside of the EU, or 29% of all extra-EU exports of honey. Germany followed with 5 500 tonnes (22% of all exports), ahead of Romania (1 700 tonnes, 7%), Hungary (1 600 tonnes, 6%) and Greece (1 500 tonnes, 6%).

This article marks the World Bee Day, celebrated on 20 May to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators for our ecosystems.