Brazilian honey exports suffer from 27.4% drop this year

The impact of the decline in honey production in southern Brazil on consumer prices will depend on whether Brazilian honey exports resume or not. Until October this year, foreign sales have dropped 27.4%, reaching 23.5 thousand tonnes. The drop in shipments from the southern region is even steeper, at 47.3%.

“Prices are not soaring despite the poor harvest because there is a significant amount of honey on the market. Now, if exports resume, we will almost certainly see price increases,” predicts Gabriel Ghezzi Munhoz, director of Unimel.

Among the factors leading to the drop in Brazilian honey exports, producers point to the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased stocks in the market, and the overall food inflation, which affected demand for the product.

The chart below shows the volume of Brazilian honey (hs 0409), measured in tonnes, exported between Jan 2019 and Sep 2023.

Brazilian Honey Exports | Jan 2019 – Sep 2023 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Tariffs in the US

Another change in the international market that impacted Brazilian exports was the United States‘ decision to impose a 7.89% antidumping tariff. The U.S. was the destination for 75% of Brazil’s honey shipments last year.

“The U.S. is our priority market, and when there is any contraction in consumption there, it directly affects our numbers here,” says Andresa Berretta, the president of the Brazilian Honey Exporters Association (Abemel).

Shift in Consumption

Despite the tariffs in the North American market, Abemel believes that the main reason for the decline in foreign sales is related to a shift in consumer behavior after the pandemic. The increased focus on foods that boost immunity stimulated demand for honey and propolis.

“In the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, we experienced behavior well above average. Now, demand is returning to pre-pandemic levels,” says Berretta.

For Abenor Furtado, the president of AGA, the situation is favorable for increased sales in the domestic market, albeit with less availability. “We hope so, but it’s a given that honey will be in short supply in the domestic market,” he evaluates.

Source: Globo Rural

Click here to read the original text: https://globorural.globo.com/agricultura/noticia/2023/11/exportacoes-brasileiras-de-mel-acumulam-queda-de-274percent-neste-ano.ghtml

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