Russia has seen a 60% increase in natural honey exports in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, with the highest exports going to Belarus, Poland, China, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. The increase in exports is due to a decrease in domestic honey production caused by the depreciation of the ruble and quarantine restrictions, leading to an increase in the average selling price of Russian honey for export. However, the union representing beekeepers has concerns about the safety of Russian honey on the international market and expects a decrease in honey production this year due to unfavorable weather conditions and mass bee deaths from pesticide treatment.