Honey production in six major producing countries
in 1999 is forecast at 459,500 metric tons, an increase of 3 percent from the 1998 output.
Two of the world’s largest honey producers, China and Argentina are expecting higher
production, which will more than offset production declines in the United States and
Canada. China, the world’s largest honey producer, is expected to recover from a
significant production decline in 1998, rising 16 percent to 180,000 metric tons. Honey
exports for 1999 from selected countries are forecast to increase by about 6 percent to
215,000 metric tons. Argentina is forecast to increase exports in 1999 to 75,000 tons, as
domestic production is forecast at record levels. Production in the United States is
forecast to decrease by 10 percent to 90,000 tons due to unfavorable weather conditions in
1999. U.S. honey exports in 1999 are forecast at 4,000 tons. Major U.S. markets are Saudi
Arabia, Yemen, Canada, and Germany. U.S. imports in 1999 are forecast at 77,000 tons, an
increase of 28 percent from the previous year’s level.
Argentina
Honey production in 1999 is forecast at a record 85,000 tons, 13 percent above the revised
1998 output. Unfavorable weather conditions during 1998 negatively impacted honey
production and decreased yields from 38.9 kg/colony to 35.7 kg/colony. However, these
weather conditions were not as severe as first expected and the 1998 production estimate
was raised by 25 percent, to 75,000 tons. Argentina is the only major producing country in
which the number of producing colonies is growing, with growth at 22 percent over the past
3 years.
In response to the higher production, exports in 1999 are forecast at 75,000 tons, 8
percent higher than the revised 1998 shipments. Most Argentine honey is exported in bulk
in 300 kilogram drums, with only a small amount of honey packaged in jars and exported to
Brazil. Honey is exported during the entire year with the heaviest export flow taking
place between March and May. The United States and Germany are the main export markets,
accounting for 75 percent of total shipments. Other key export markets include Spain,
Italy, the UK, and Japan.
Only about 8 percent of Argentina’s honey production is consumed domestically. In
1999, honey consumption is forecast to be boosted by the high availability. Generally,
Argentine consumption fluctuates widely in relation to the level of production and
exports.
Canada
Canada’s honey production in 1999 is forecast at 34,000 tons, 20 percent below the
record 1998 output. Favorable rainfall and temperature conditions in the major Canadian
honey producing areas resulted in good conditions for bee activity and above average
yields, though not matching last year’s record harvest.
Canada’s honey exports in 1999 are forecast at 15,000 tons, 34 percent above the
previous year’s shipments, as high carry over stocks remained available for export.
The United States and Germany are expected to account for most of this increase. Canada
has no quantitative restrictions on honey imports from the United States, but market
opportunities for U.S. honey remain limited, reflecting Canada’s surplus production
position and a strong U.S. dollar.
Canada has banned imports of live U.S. bees since 1987 due to the presence of Varroa mite
in certain U.S. states. Canada allows the importation of queen bees only from Hawaii under
strict health measures. The Government of Canada has been extending the import ban at two
year intervals, with the current honeybee import prohibition order expiring in December
1999.
China
China’s honey production in 1999 is forecast at 180,000 tons, an increase of 16
percent over the previous year. This level of production would signal a return to average
production levels, recovering from the poor 1998 harvest, which was adversely affected by
poor weather conditions and bee diseases.
Chinese exports are forecast at 80,000 tons in 1999, a 2 percent increase from 1998.
According to the Honey Suspension Agreement between the United States and China, the price
for honey exported from China to the United States was determined by a reference point set
three months prior to actual trading. Exports to all destinations are forecast to increase
slightly in 1999. The largest markets for Chinese honey are Japan, the United States,
Germany, Belgium, and Spain.
Germany
Germany’s honey production in 1999 is forecast at 13,000 tons, 20 percent below the
previous year’s output of 16,306 tons. The 1998 production estimate was raised by 9
percent as poor weather did not have as severe effects as initially expected. National
production potential continued to decrease as the number of apiarists and number of
commercial colonies have both slowly declined in recent years.
Germany, the world’s largest importer of honey is forecast to decrease imports
slightly in 1999, to 91,000 tons, because of high stock levels built up in 1998. The bulk
of imports are from Argentina, China, and Mexico and arrive in large containers that are
processed further before domestic sale or re-export. Imports from the United States in
1998 totaled 585 tons. The German market provides opportunities for U.S. honey processors,
especially if the honey is marketed in attractive jars (i.e. appealing to children) or
plastic containers in consumer-friendly sizes.
Mexico
Honey production in 1998 is forecast at 57,500 tons, 3 percent above the 1998 estimate.
The increase in production in 1999 is mainly due to favorable weather conditions in
Mexico’s major honey producing regions, in addition to the gradual improvement in
pest control and modernization of the industry.
Mexican producers are currently gaining knowledge and experience in dealing with the
serious problems of the Varroa mite and the Africanization of apiaries. Small and
non-traditional hobbyist producers continue to leave the industry because of lack of
experience with these problems, while the remaining producers are more equipped to
implement the necessary control practices. However, production of queen bees, which are
used to prevent Africanization of beehives, is still insufficient to cover domestic
demand.
Exports of honey in 1998 are forecast at 29,000 tons, 10 percent above 1998 shipments.
Major export markets for Mexican honey include Germany, the United States, the United
Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia. Mexico’s honey industry largely focuses on international
markets because honey is more expensive than other sweeteners, such as sugar, for use in
the domestic sweetener market.
United States
The first official estimate of 1999 U.S. honey production, based on an objective survey,
will not be available from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) until
February 2000.
Weather conditions were variable throughout the country for the 1999 season, with yields
expected to decrease slightly. Most sources expect production in 1999 to be approximately
90,000 tons, 10 percent below last year’s output. Nearly half of all bee colonies and
more than half of all U.S. honey production in the United States is located in California,
Florida, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
According to industry sources, the numbers of apiarists and bee colonies continue to
decline due to increasing losses from mites and other diseases and rising production
costs. Small apiarists continue to leave the market because of low prices and the
increasing cost and time needed to maintain colonies that are highly productive and free
of pests.
Exports of U.S. honey in 1999 are forecast at 4,000 tons, a 15 percent decrease from last
year’s shipments and roughly equal to 1997 exports. U.S. imports in 1999 are forecast
at 77,000 tons, a 28 percent increase from 1998.
The United States is one of the world’s largest markets for industrial honey. This
sector accounts for approximately 45 percent of total domestic consumption. The primary
users of industrial honey are bakery, health food, and cereal manufacturers. Other users,
such as the food service industry, account for another 10 percent of domestic consumption.
Individual consumers, who purchase small amounts of honey for personal use also
significantly contribute to overall consumption in the United States.
