Brazil`s honey exports grew 52% in 2020

According to ABEMEL (the Brazilian association of honey exporters), Brazil exported 45,600 tons of honey in 2020, a growth of 51.9% compared to the previous year. Shipments generated revenue of US$ 98 million.

About 60% of Brazilian honey production is exported, according to the organization. The biggest buyer last year was the United States, responsible for 75% of the total exported, followed by Germany, importing 12%, and Canada, importing 4%.

According to the administrative manager of ABEMEL, Suelen Tomazella, the pandemic generated changes in consumer behavior and eating habits throughout the world. Honey, being a healthy product and recommended for improving respiratory conditions, ended up attracting more consumers.

“We had an increase in demand during the pandemic, but it is difficult to know whether this scenario will continue in the post-Covid period. We are optimistic, mainly, due to the increase in consumption in the American and European markets. We hope to expand our operations in other countries”, she said, in a note.

Another market that ABEMEL believes is important to explore is the Muslim market, made up of 1.8 billion people. However, to export to Islamic Arab countries, it is necessary to obtain halal certification. “It is an avid market for quality products. Honey certainly has great commercial opportunities not only in the Arab countries but also on the Asian and African continents, mainly because it stands out for its high quality and added value”, comments the commercial manager of the entity at Cdial Halal, Omar Chahine, also in a note.

To enable expansion of this market, Brazilian industries and producers need to adapt to the requirements of the buying countries. Most Islamic importers have been demanding halal certification. “In addition to being recognized worldwide as a seal that attests to good manufacturing, safety, and quality practices, the halal certification has been requested, even by countries that are neither Arab nor Muslim, such as Japan, China, and Canada,” says Chahine.

Brazilian honey is produced mainly in the South, which produces 39.8% of the total. The Northeast is ranked second in terms of production (31.3%), then the Southeast (22.5%), and finally, the Midwest (6.4%).

Source: Valor Econômico

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