During the first half of 2024, Ukrainian honey gained great popularity on international markets, especially among the countries of the European Union. During this period, Ukraine exported 40.6 thousand tons of honey to the EU for a total amount of 70.7 million dollars. Such data were published by the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.
The European Union remains the main market for Ukrainian honey. Also, significant volumes of these products are exported to the United States of America. Today, there are about 72 Ukrainian enterprises operating on the market, which ensure compliance of products with strict international standards, including control of residual substances and pesticides.
According to the official statistics of the State Customs Service and the State Statistics Service, in 2023 honey exports from Ukraine amounted to 55.4 thousand tons, which brought in $121.4 million in revenue. The lion's share of exports was delivered to the EU — 45.8 thousand tons or 93.6% of the total volume of exports. The total value of honey sold on the European market amounted to 94.9 million dollars.
Ukraine occupies an honorable second place among suppliers of honey to the European Union, providing 28% of all honey imports to EU countries. Germany, Poland, Spain, France, Belgium, Romania, Italy, Hungary, Greece, and the United States became the main partners in 2023.
It should be noted that in August the European Commission introduced tariff quotas for Ukrainian honey, but even under these conditions Ukraine maintains a stable position on the EU market. Ukrainian honey continues to actively compete in the international arena: the country is currently third among the main exporters of agri-food products to the EU after Brazil and Great Britain.
The development of honey exports is strategically important for the agricultural sector of Ukraine, because the products have high competitiveness and demand in the world. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food emphasizes that Ukraine plans to continue developing this direction, strengthening its presence on international markets and opening up new export opportunities for the domestic producer.
agrinews.com.ua