In 2021, the EU Member States imported 173 400 tonnes of natural honey (‘honey’) from non-EU countries worth €405.9 million. In contrast, in 2021, just 25 500 tonnes were exported by the EU Member States outside the EU. These exports were worth €146.6 million.
Compared with 2016, honey imports from outside the EU increased by 7% in weight, while EU exports to non-EU countries decreased by 10%, EuroStat reports.
Germany, the largest importer of honey
In 2021, 51 900 tonnes of honey were imported to Germany from non-EU Member States (30% of total extra-EU imports of honey). This makes Germany the largest EU importer of honey from non-EU countries, ahead of Poland (32 200 tonnes, 19%), followed by Belgium (25 600 tonnes, 15%), Spain (14 500 tonnes, 8%) and Portugal (7 100 tonnes, 4%).
Ukraine, the main origin of imported honey
Imports of honey from non-EU countries in 2021 came mainly from Ukraine (53 800 tonnes, or 31% of total extra-EU honey imports), followed by China (48 000 tonnes, 28%), Mexico (15 500 tonnes, 9%), Argentina (14 400 tonnes, 8%), and Brazil (7 900 tonnes, 5%).
