Honey production refers to the annual quantity of natural honey harvested from managed honeybee colonies through beekeeping activities.
Australia Honey Production was 10.98 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 3.3% on 2023. Australia’s honey production showed a gradual declining trend between 2015 and 2024, reflecting the impact of climatic variability, environmental challenges, and changing conditions within the country’s beekeeping sector. Honey production started at approximately 12.28 thousand tonnes in 2015 and increased slightly to 13.08 thousand tonnes in 2016, representing the highest production level during the observed period.
Australia Honey Production moved from 12.28 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 10.98 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−10.6%), an average of −1.2% a year. The series high was 13.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the low 10.98 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2024) is 2.10 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −6.9% in 2017.
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, Australia ranks 19 for 2024, behind China (444.8 Thousand Tonnes) and India (146 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.6% of the global total in 2024.
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 Trough | 10.98 | −3.3% |
| 2023 | 11.36 | −2.9% |
| 2022 | 11.70 | −2% |
| 2021 | 11.94 | −3% |
| 2020 | 12.31 | −0.2% |
| 2019 | 12.33 | −0.7% |
| 2018 | 12.42 | +2% |
| 2017 | 12.18 | −6.9% |
| 2016Peak | 13.08 | +6.5% |
| 2015 | 12.28 | — |
Regional context
Honey Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. Australia is highlighted.
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.
However, production declined to 12.18 thousand tonnes in 2017 and remained relatively stable in 2018 and 2019, recording 12.42 thousand tonnes and 12.33 thousand tonnes, respectively. These fluctuations indicate the influence of seasonal conditions, floral availability, and hive productivity on annual honey output.
From 2020 onwards, Australia’s honey production experienced a gradual decline. Production decreased from 12.31 thousand tonnes in 2020 to 11.94 thousand tonnes in 2021 and continued falling to 11.70 thousand tonnes in 2022. The downward trend persisted in the following years, with output reaching 11.36 thousand tonnes in 2023 and approximately 10.98 thousand tonnes in 2024. Overall, production declined by nearly 10% compared with 2015, highlighting challenges faced by the domestic apiculture industry.
Australia’s honey industry is supported by diverse ecosystems, extensive natural vegetation, and a well-established network of commercial and small-scale beekeepers. The country is known for producing unique honey varieties from native floral sources, particularly eucalyptus species. Beekeeping also plays a critical role in agricultural productivity by supporting pollination services for various crops. However, factors such as drought conditions, bushfires, climate change, and environmental pressures have influenced bee populations and honey yields.
From a macro indicator perspective, Australia’s honey production reflects a mature but gradually declining apiculture sector. Despite reduced output over the decade, the industry continues to maintain strong production capabilities due to advanced beekeeping practices and high-quality honey resources. Future growth opportunities will depend on sustainable hive management, climate adaptation strategies, conservation of floral resources, and technological improvements to enhance production efficiency.
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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.
Australia Honey Production was 10.98 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 3.3% on 2023.
Australia Honey Production moved from 12.28 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 10.98 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−10.6%), an average of −1.2% a year. The series high was 13.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the low 10.98 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The highest value was 13.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the lowest was 10.98 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
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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