Global Honey Market Size By Source (Wildflower/Polyfloral Honey and Monofloral Honey), By Processing (Conventional Honey and Organic Honey), By Application (Food & Drinks and Personal Care & Cosmetics), By Geographic Scope And Forecast

Honey Market Size And Forecast

Honey Market size was valued at USD 10.26 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 15.52 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.31% from 2024 to 2031.

• Honey is a natural sweetener produced by bees from flower nectar. It is primarily made up of fructose, glucose, and water, with trace amounts of other sugars, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals.
• The texture of honey is thick and viscous, and its color and flavor can vary depending on the floral source and processing techniques, ranging from light golden to dark amber.
• Honey’s antimicrobial properties stem from its low water content, acidic pH, and the presence of enzymes and other compounds, which make it resistant to bacteria and fungi. This unique combination of factors makes honey a natural preservative in certain applications.
• Often used as a sweetener in foods and beverages, honey is also a popular flavoring agent in cooking and baking.
• Beyond its culinary uses, honey is valued for potential health benefits, such as soothing sore throats, promoting wound healing, and serving as a natural remedy for coughs. However, due to its high sugar content, it should be consumed in moderation.

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Global Honey Market Dynamics

The key market dynamics that are shaping the global honey market include:

Key Market Drivers

• Growing Consumer Preference for Natural and Healthier Sweeteners: As consumers become more health-conscious, they are increasingly turning to natural sweeteners like honey. According to a 2022 report by the National Honey Board: 93% of consumers consider honey a natural sweetener. 71% of consumers agree that honey is better for you than sugar Honey consumption in the United States has increased by 36% over the past decade, reaching 618 million pounds in 2021
• Expanding Applications in the Food and Beverage Industry Honey is finding increased use in various food and beverage products, driving market growth. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports Global honey production increased from 1.6 million tons in 2010 to 1.9 million tons in 2019. The food industry accounts for approximately 80% of honey consumption worldwide
• Rising Awareness of Honey’s Medicinal and Therapeutic Properties Honey’s perceived health benefits are driving its adoption in both food and non-food applications. A study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology in 2023 found that honey contains over 200 substances, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and organic acids. In a survey of 2,000 adults in the UK, 65% reported using honey for its perceived health benefits, such as soothing sore throats and boosting immunity

Key Challenges:

• Declining Bee Populations and Colony Collapse Disorder The decreasing bee population is a significant threat to honey production. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Beekeepers in the U.S. lost an estimated 45.5% of their managed honey bee colonies from April 2020 to April 2021. The number of honey-producing colonies in the U.S. decreased from 2.96 million in 2017 to 2.71 million in 2021
• Adulteration and Quality Concerns Honey adulteration is a major issue affecting consumer trust and market growth. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre reported. The global economic impact of food fraud, including honey adulteration, is estimated to be USD 30-40 Billion annually
• Climate Change and Environmental Factors Changing weather patterns and environmental conditions pose challenges to honey production. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) notes that climate change could reduce crop yields by up to 25% in some regions by 2050, affecting nectar availability for bees. Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, have increased by 46% since 2000, impacting bee habitats and honey production

Key Trends:

• Increasing Demand for Organic and Specialty Honey Varieties Consumers are showing a growing interest in organic and unique honey varieties. According to the Organic Trade Association: U.S. organic honey sales increased by 23% in 2020, reaching USD 135 Million
• Rise of E-Commerce and Direct-To-Consumer Sales Channels Online platforms are becoming increasingly important for honey sales. A report by the National Honey Board reveals: that 25% of U.S. consumers purchased honey online in 2021, up from 15% in 2019. E-commerce sales of honey in the U.S. grew by 73% in 2020, compared to the previous year
• Growing Use of Honey in Personal Care and Cosmetic Products Honey is gaining popularity as an ingredient in beauty and personal care items.

Global Honey Market Regional Analysis

Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the global honey market:

Asia Pacific:

• Asia Pacific substantially dominates the global honey market owing to the large-scale honey production and export.
• The Asia Pacific region, particularly China, is a major producer and exporter of honey. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): China produced approximately 444,000 tons of honey in 2019, accounting for about 24% of global production
• India, the second-largest producer in the region, contributed about 61,000 tons of honey in the same year. The Asia Pacific region as a whole accounted for over 45% of global honey production in 2019
• Increasing awareness of honey’s health benefits, coupled with its use in traditional medicine, is driving market growth.
• A report by the Asian Development Bank states the traditional medicine market in China, where honey is a common ingredient, was valued at USD 50 Billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 120 Billion by 2025
• In India, the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) sector, which often incorporates honey, grew by 17% between 2014 and 2020
• Increasing disposable income in many Asian countries is leading to changes in dietary habits, including higher consumption of natural sweeteners like honey. The World Bank reports the GDP per capita in China increased from $4,550 in 2010 to $10,500 in 2020.
• In India, GDP per capita rose from $1,358 in 2010 to $1,901 in 2020 A survey by Kerry Group in 2021 found that 75% of consumers in Asia Pacific are willing to pay a premium for food and beverages with natural ingredients, including honey

Europe:

• Europe is anticipated to witness the fastest growth in the global honey market during the forecast period driven by the strong consumer preference for natural and organic products.
• European consumers show a growing preference for natural and organic foods, including honey. According to the European Commission, the EU organic market grew by 12% between 2016 and 2017, reaching €34.3 billion in value
• In 2019, organic honey production in the EU increased by 6% compared to the previous year. A 2020 Eurobarometer survey found that 79% of EU citizens consider buying organic products important for environmental reasons
• Europe’s stringent food safety regulations and quality standards drive consumer trust and market growth. The European Commission reports in 2021, the EU implemented new rules requiring clearer labeling of the country of origin for honey blends
• The EU’s honey market is protected by quality schemes such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), with 39 honey products registered under these schemes as of 2023
• Honey’s versatility is driving its adoption across multiple sectors in Europe. Eurostat and industry reports indicate the European food and beverage industry, a major user of honey, had a turnover of €1.2 trillion in 2020
• The European natural cosmetics market, where honey is a popular ingredient, grew by 7% in 2020, reaching €3.9 billion in the pharmaceutical sector, the European market for cough, cold, and allergy remedies, which often contain honey, was valued at $11.3 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% through 2025

Global Honey Market: Segmentation Analysis

The Global Honey Market is segmented based on Type, Processing, Application, And Geography.

Honey Market, By Type

• Alfalfa
• Buckwheat
• Clover
• Wildflower
• Acacia

Based on the Type, the Global Honey Market is bifurcated into Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Clover, Wildflower, Acacia. The buckwheat segment dominates the global honey market, particularly popular in Russia, China, and several European countries. Its high nutritional value, less sweet flavor, and abundant antioxidants contribute to its strong demand. Additionally, buckwheat honey is recognized for its various medicinal properties, leading to a notable increase in its use for cough syrup production.

Honey Market, By Processing

• Conventional Honey
• Organic Honey

Based on the Processing, the Global Honey Market is bifurcated into Conventional Honey and Organic Honey. The conventional honey segment dominates the global honey market. Conventional honey is produced through standard beekeeping practices, which may involve the use of synthetic pesticides and antibiotics for hive management. While organic honey is gaining traction due to its perceived health and environmental benefits, conventional honey continues to dominate the market due to its widespread availability and lower prices. Additionally, the introduction of new flavors and exotic add-ins in conventional honey products, driven by evolving consumer preferences, is expected to further enhance the appeal of the conventional segment.

Honey Market, By Application

• Food & Drinks
• Personal Care & Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals

Based on the Application, the Global Honey Market is bifurcated into Food & Drinks, Personal Care & Cosmetics, and Pharmaceuticals. The food & drink segment stands out as the leading category in the global honey market. Honey is extensively used as a natural sweetener and flavor enhancer in a wide range of food and beverage products, such as breakfast cereals, baked goods, salad dressings, and energy bars. Its versatility in culinary applications, coupled with its purported health benefits, has established honey as a staple in households and restaurants globally.

Honey Market, By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Rest of the World

Based on Geography, the Global Honey Market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific substantially dominates the global honey market owing to the large-scale honey production and export.  The Asia Pacific region, particularly China, is a major producer and exporter of honey. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): China produced approximately 444,000 tons of honey in 2019, accounting for about 24% of global production. India, the second-largest producer in the region, contributed about 61,000 tons of honey in the same year. The Asia Pacific region as a whole accounted for over 45% of global honey production in 2019. Increasing awareness of honey’s health benefits, coupled with its use in traditional medicine, is driving market growth.

Key Players

The “Global Honey Market” study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Dazhong Bee Industry Co., Ltd., Kangyuan Honey Co., Ltd., Mellit Holdings Ltd., The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Wedderspoon Honey Ltd., Comvita Ltd., Dutch Bee Company.

This section offers in-depth analysis through a company overview, position analysis, the regional and industrial footprint of the company, and the ACE matrix for insightful competitive analysis. The section also provides an exhaustive analysis of the financial performances of mentioned players in the given market.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.

Global Honey Market Key Developments

• In May 2024, Mellit Holdings Ltd. announced a partnership with a major European supermarket chain to distribute their premium Manuka honey line.
• In April 2024, Wedderspoon Honey Ltd. announced a new line of functional honey blends infused with superfoods and botanicals.
• In April 2024, The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. acquired a natural and organic food distributor, potentially expanding their reach in the health food market which includes honey.

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