Brazil Expands Honey Exports and Maintains Position Among World’s Largest Producers

Brazil currently ranks 11th among the world’s top honey producers, with an estimated annual output of 51,000 tons, according to 2021 data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Agro em Dados bulletin, published in April by the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply of the Government of Goiás, highlights that national production continues to grow. However, domestic consumption remains below the global average.

In 2023, the country produced 64,100 tons of honey, reflecting significant growth in recent years. Between 2015 and 2023, Brazilian production rose by 69.5%. In the state of Goiás, production increased by 25.4%, reaching an estimated 402.2 tons last year.

Low Domestic Consumption Compared to the Global Market

Despite the sharp increase in production, honey consumption per capita in Brazil remains modest. While the global average is 240 grams per person annually, Brazilians consume just 60 grams. Experts see this gap between production and internal consumption as a challenge for the sector.

Expanding Foreign Market

Brazilian exports of natural honey also saw significant growth. In 2024, 37,900 tons of the product were shipped, a 32.8% increase compared to the previous year. The United States remains the leading destination, receiving 29,900 tons—equivalent to 79% of total exports.

With a 120.6% increase in imports, Canada surpassed Germany to become the second-largest market for Brazilian honey. Additionally, the Secretariat’s bulletin points to export diversification potential, emphasizing Arab countries such as Oman, which began importing the product in 2023. In these regions, honey is traditionally valued in local cuisine.

Economic Results and Industry Challenges

Despite the positive export performance, the total value of Brazil’s honey production fell by 7.6% in 2023, reaching R$908 million. In contrast, Goiás showed the opposite trend, with a 25.8% increase in production value, totaling R$12.3 million.

According to the bulletin, challenges such as the informality of beekeeping activities, the still-developing structure of the production chain, and a lack of specialized labor continue to hinder the full development of honey production in states like Goiás.

Growing Trend in Domestic Consumption

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for natural products has increased significantly. The Minas Gerais Federation of Beekeeping (FEMAP) reports that honey sales have risen by 30% since the start of quarantine. The organization also points to a promising trend in domestic consumption, driven by Brazilians’ growing interest in healthier eating habits.

Source: Portal do Agronegócio

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