Beeswax production refers to the annual production output of beeswax, measured in tonnes or metric tons. The indicator presents country-level beeswax production statistics and time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period.
Africa Beeswax Production was 17.64 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 5.8% on 2023. Between 2015 and 2024, Africa remained one of the world's leading beeswax-producing regions, supported by abundant natural vegetation, favorable climatic conditions, and long-established beekeeping traditions. Regional beeswax production displayed moderate fluctuations over the decade, increasing overall from approximately 16,295.61 tonnes in 2015 to 17,644.70 tonnes in 2024.
Africa Beeswax Production moved from 16.30 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 17.64 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+8.3%), an average of +0.9% a year. The series high was 18.61 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 14.69 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2019) is 3.92 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +21.4% in 2021.
Within Africa, Ethiopia has the highest value in 2024 at 5.93 Thousand Tonnes, 33.6% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Thousand Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Thousand Tonnes↕ | vs 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ethiopia | 5.93 | +2% | |
| 2 | Kenya | 4.04 | +25.8% | |
| 3 | Angola | 2.32 | 0% | |
| 4 | Tanzania | 1.91 | +0.2% | |
| 5 | Uganda | 0.614 | +0.6% | |
| 6 | Madagascar | 0.423 | +0.3% | |
| 7 | Senegal | 0.375 | +2.5% | |
| 8 | Cameroon | 0.310 | +0.3% | |
| 9 | Egypt | 0.118 | −0.9% | |
| 10 | Zambia | 0.0366 | +1.4% |
By region
Thousand Tonnes, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17.64 | +5.8% |
| 2023 | 16.68 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | 16.17 | −13.1% |
| 2021Peak | 18.61 | +21.4% |
| 2020 | 15.33 | +4.4% |
| 2019 Trough | 14.69 | −10.9% |
| 2018 | 16.48 | +1% |
| 2017 | 16.32 | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 16.01 | −1.8% |
| 2015 | 16.30 | — |
Data definition
Beeswax Production — Beeswax production refers to the annual production output of beeswax, measured in tonnes or metric tons. The indicator presents country-level beeswax production statistics and time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period. It represents the quantity of beeswax harvested or produced from beekeeping activities within a country under the relevant apiculture and livestock product classification. Statistics are compiled from international agricultural databases and national agricultural reporting systems, including sources such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and official country data where available. The figures represent total beeswax production within the selected country and may include beeswax obtained from managed honeybee colonies and reported under the overall beeswax product category.
The data includes harvested beeswax production from apiculture activities for commercial and agricultural purposes. It covers beeswax produced within the selected country and includes beeswax obtained from honeybee colonies, hive management, and related beekeeping operations. The statistics account for annual beeswax output and provide country-level production estimates across the selected time period. Data may incorporate official national reporting, beekeeping surveys, agricultural statistics, and international estimates where direct reporting is unavailable.
The data excludes production of honey, other bee products, agricultural commodities, and wax products not classified as beeswax. It does not measure beeswax exports, imports, domestic consumption, processing volumes, inventory levels, market prices, trade value, or economic contribution of the beeswax industry. Differences may occur between sources due to variations in beekeeping practices, data collection methods, estimation techniques, reporting systems, colony population assessments, production efficiency, and seasonal factors affecting bee activity and wax harvesting.
Beeswax Production — Beeswax production refers to the annual production output of beeswax, measured in tonnes or metric tons. The indicator presents country-level beeswax production statistics and time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period. It represents the quantity of beeswax harvested or produced from beekeeping activities within a country under the relevant apiculture and livestock product classification. Statistics are compiled from international agricultural databases and national agricultural reporting systems, including sources such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and official country data where available. The figures represent total beeswax production within the selected country and may include beeswax obtained from managed honeybee colonies and reported under the overall beeswax product category.
Although production declined during some years due to climatic variability, changing forage availability, and colony health challenges, the region demonstrated strong recovery in later years, reflecting the resilience of Africa's apiculture sector. Major producing countries, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Cameroon, Angola, Madagascar, Senegal, and other African nations, contributed significantly to regional beeswax output through both commercial and traditional beekeeping systems.
Africa's beeswax production is influenced by several factors, including the number and health of managed honeybee colonies, availability of flowering plants, seasonal rainfall patterns, environmental conditions, pest and disease management, and improvements in hive management practices. Extensive forests, savannahs, woodlands, and agricultural landscapes provide ideal habitats for beekeeping across many parts of the continent. Beeswax produced during hive maintenance and honey harvesting serves as an important natural raw material for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, candle manufacturing, food coatings, polishes, and other industrial and specialty applications while also providing an additional source of income for rural communities.
The indicator includes domestically produced beeswax derived from managed apiculture activities across African countries and covers annual production reported under the beeswax product classification. It excludes honey production, other bee-derived products, international trade, domestic consumption, processing volumes, inventories, market prices, and the economic value of the beeswax industry. Variations in reported production figures may arise from differences in reporting systems, estimation methodologies, colony assessments, environmental conditions, and seasonal factors affecting bee productivity.
Overall, Africa's beeswax production between 2015 and 2024 highlights the strength and continued development of the region's apiculture industry, reinforcing its significant contribution to global beeswax production and sustainable rural livelihoods.
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Beeswax production refers to the annual production output of beeswax, measured in tonnes or metric tons. The indicator presents country-level beeswax production statistics and time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period. It represents the quantity of beeswax harvested or produced from beekeeping activities within a country under the relevant apiculture and livestock product classification. Statistics are compiled from international agricultural databases and national agricultural reporting systems, including sources such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and official country data where available. The figures represent total beeswax production within the selected country and may include beeswax obtained from managed honeybee colonies and reported under the overall beeswax product category.
Africa Beeswax Production was 17.64 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 5.8% on 2023.
Africa Beeswax Production moved from 16.30 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 17.64 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+8.3%), an average of +0.9% a year. The series high was 18.61 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 14.69 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The highest value was 18.61 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the lowest was 14.69 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
Included: The data includes harvested beeswax production from apiculture activities for commercial and agricultural purposes. It covers beeswax produced within the selected country and includes beeswax obtained from honeybee colonies, hive management, and related beekeeping operations. The statistics account for annual beeswax output and provide country-level production estimates across the selected time period. Data may incorporate official national reporting, beekeeping surveys, agricultural statistics, and international estimates where direct reporting is unavailable. Excluded: The data excludes production of honey, other bee products, agricultural commodities, and wax products not classified as beeswax. It does not measure beeswax exports, imports, domestic consumption, processing volumes, inventory levels, market prices, trade value, or economic contribution of the beeswax industry. Differences may occur between sources due to variations in beekeeping practices, data collection methods, estimation techniques, reporting systems, colony population assessments, production efficiency, and seasonal factors affecting bee activity and wax harvesting.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&Food=Beeswax&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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