Honey production refers to the annual quantity of natural honey harvested from managed honeybee colonies through beekeeping activities.
Africa Honey Production was 251.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 8.3% on 2023. Africa’s honey production displayed an overall positive trend between 2015 and 2024, supported by expanding beekeeping activities, abundant natural vegetation, and increasing recognition of apiculture as a source of rural income. The region’s production is driven by several countries, including South Africa, Egypt, and other emerging honey producers, each contributing differently to regional output.
Africa Honey Production moved from 214.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 251.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+17.3%), an average of +1.8% a year. The series high was 297.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2019 and the low 198.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2016) is 98.82 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +45.9% in 2019.
Within Africa, Egypt has the highest value in 2024 at 3.78 Thousand Tonnes, 1.5% 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 | Egypt | 3.78 | −1.5% | |
| 2 | South Africa | 1.08 | 0% |
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 | 251.1 | +8.3% |
| 2023 | 231.8 | +9.2% |
| 2022 | 212.2 | −13.1% |
| 2021 | 244.1 | −13.5% |
| 2020 | 282.3 | −5% |
| 2019Peak | 297.2 | +45.9% |
| 2018 | 203.8 | +2.1% |
| 2017 | 199.6 | +0.6% |
| 2016 Trough | 198.4 | −7.3% |
| 2015 | 214.1 | — |
Data definition
Honey Production — Honey production refers to the annual quantity of natural honey harvested from managed honeybee colonies through beekeeping activities. It represents the total output of honey collected by beekeepers during a specific period and is used as a macro indicator to assess the scale, productivity, and performance of the apiculture sector. The indicator measures honey production volumes across countries and regions, helping analyze long-term production trends, agricultural contributions, and developments within the global honey industry.
Honey production includes the total quantity of natural honey obtained from commercial, small-scale, and traditional beekeeping operations. It covers honey harvested from different floral sources and produced through managed honeybee colonies, including output intended for food consumption, industrial use, and commercial markets. The indicator accounts for annual production volumes reported in tonnes or thousand tonnes, reflecting the overall performance of the honey-producing sector within a country or region.
Honey production excludes processed or value-added honey products such as flavored honey, blended honey products, and honey-based food items, as the indicator measures only raw honey output. It does not include honey imports, exports, consumption, retail sales, or market value. Other beekeeping products such as beeswax, royal jelly, and propolis are excluded, along with artificial honey substitutes and production losses occurring during processing, storage, or transportation.
Honey Production — Honey production refers to the annual quantity of natural honey harvested from managed honeybee colonies through beekeeping activities. It represents the total output of honey collected by beekeepers during a specific period and is used as a macro indicator to assess the scale, productivity, and performance of the apiculture sector. The indicator measures honey production volumes across countries and regions, helping analyze long-term production trends, agricultural contributions, and developments within the global honey industry.
Although production patterns varied across countries, Africa maintained a steady position in the global honey industry throughout the decade.
South Africa recorded relatively stable honey production, fluctuating between 3.71 thousand tonnes and 5.49 thousand tonnes during the period. Egypt also maintained consistent production, although output gradually declined from approximately 4.95 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 3.78 thousand tonnes in 2024. Meanwhile, several other African producers experienced stronger growth, with combined production increasing from approximately 208.10 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 246.25 thousand tonnes in 2024 despite periodic fluctuations. This overall increase reflects improvements in beekeeping practices, greater participation in commercial honey production, and expanding awareness of the economic importance of apiculture.
Africa’s honey industry benefits from extensive forests, diverse ecosystems, and rich floral biodiversity, providing favorable conditions for honeybee populations. Beekeeping supports rural livelihoods, enhances agricultural productivity through pollination, and contributes to biodiversity conservation. Many African countries continue to develop commercial apiculture while maintaining traditional beekeeping methods, creating opportunities for increased productivity and export growth.
From a macro indicator perspective, Africa’s honey production demonstrates gradual long-term expansion despite climatic variability and infrastructure challenges. The region possesses significant untapped potential due to its abundant natural resources and growing investment in beekeeping development. Future production growth will depend on improved hive management, disease control, access to modern technologies, quality enhancement, and stronger integration into regional and international honey markets.
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Honey production refers to the annual quantity of natural honey harvested from managed honeybee colonies through beekeeping activities. It represents the total output of honey collected by beekeepers during a specific period and is used as a macro indicator to assess the scale, productivity, and performance of the apiculture sector. The indicator measures honey production volumes across countries and regions, helping analyze long-term production trends, agricultural contributions, and developments within the global honey industry.
Africa Honey Production was 251.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 8.3% on 2023.
Africa Honey Production moved from 214.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 251.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+17.3%), an average of +1.8% a year. The series high was 297.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2019 and the low 198.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
The highest value was 297.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2019 and the lowest was 198.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
Included: Honey production includes the total quantity of natural honey obtained from commercial, small-scale, and traditional beekeeping operations. It covers honey harvested from different floral sources and produced through managed honeybee colonies, including output intended for food consumption, industrial use, and commercial markets. The indicator accounts for annual production volumes reported in tonnes or thousand tonnes, reflecting the overall performance of the honey-producing sector within a country or region. Excluded: Honey production excludes processed or value-added honey products such as flavored honey, blended honey products, and honey-based food items, as the indicator measures only raw honey output. It does not include honey imports, exports, consumption, retail sales, or market value. Other beekeeping products such as beeswax, royal jelly, and propolis are excluded, along with artificial honey substitutes and production losses occurring during processing, storage, or transportation.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?pickerSort=asc&pickerMetric=entityName&Food=Honey&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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