In W29 in the honey landscape, the beekeeping market in Brazil is primarily composed of small beekeepers. Brazil’s domestic consumption of honey is relatively low at 60g per capita per year, compared to the world average of 240g. This results in approximately 15 thousand metric tons (mt) of honey consumed domestically, with 53% used as table honey and 35% used in the food industry as ingredients. Brazil ranks 11th in honey production globally, producing around 42 thousand mt, while global honey production is at 1.85 million metric tons (mmt) annually. The main destination countries for Brazilian honey exports are the United States (US), Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom (UK). The main states involved in honey exports are Piauí, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, Paraná, and São Paulo, with Piauí's honey production being the third-largest product in the state's export basket. With incentives from the state government, the beekeeping sector in Brazil is expecting to export 7 thousand mt of honey in 2023, presenting new prospects for the industry.
Additionally, Brazil currently has 250 known types of stingless bees, 60 of which are primarily used for honey production. Among these, the jataí bee is of particular commercial interest due to its ease of capture, resilience, and adaptability to urban areas. Jataí honey is highly valued and is worth up to 10 times more than honey from Africanized bees. However, a drawback to raising jataí bees is their low production of honey, which typically ranges from 300 to 500 ml per year.
Turkey exported 5,119 mt of honey, worth USD 16.80 million, in the first six months of 2023, mainly to the US, Germany, and Israel. Honey exports to the US amounted to USD 7.22 million, while Germany and Israel received exports worth USD 2.35 million and USD 1.92 million, respectively. This period also saw honey sales to Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Venezuela, Sweden, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon. However, extreme weather conditions, including hot temperatures and heavy rains in some regions, are expected to adversely affect the honey harvest and may have a negative impact on future export performance.
Lastly, beekeepers in southern Bulgaria are facing issues with the Integrated Information System (VetIS) of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA), as it does not allow them to register their apiaries in the Electronic Platform for Disclosure of Plant Protection Activities (EPORD). This prevents them from participating in the intervention to promote natural pollination. Additionally, the application period is short, only until July 21, requiring quick action to address the situation.