Lower over the period
China Honey Production moved from 473 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 444.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−6%), an average of −0.7% a year. The series high was 555 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the low 444.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
What China Honey Production shows
China Honey Production was 444.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 4% on 2023. China’s honey production demonstrated a fluctuating but overall stable performance between 2015 and 2024, reflecting the country’s strong position within the global beekeeping and apiculture industry. Honey production recorded approximately 473 thousand tonnes in 2015, increasing significantly to 555 thousand tonnes in 2016, which marked the highest output during the period.
A 20% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2019) is 110.9 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −17.6% in 2018.
Ranks 1 of 27 countries covered
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, China ranks 1 for 2024. It accounts for 22.4% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
China Honey Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 444.8 | −4% |
| 2023 | 463.5 | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 461.9 | −2.3% |
| 2021 | 472.7 | +3.2% |
| 2020 | 458.1 | +3.2% |
| 2019 Trough | 444.1 | −0.6% |
| 2018 | 446.9 | −17.6% |
| 2017 | 542.5 | −2.2% |
| 2016Peak | 555 | +17.3% |
| 2015 | 473 | — |
Regional context
How China compares in Asia
Honey Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. China is highlighted.
1China444.8
2India146
3Turkey95.49
4Iran80.25
5South Korea31.22
6Vietnam25.46
7Thailand11.68
8Taiwan11.22
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
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.
About this indicator
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 in subsequent years, reaching 542.54 thousand tonnes in 2017 and falling further to 446.88 thousand tonnes in 2018. This reduction indicates variations influenced by climatic conditions, colony productivity, environmental factors, and changes in beekeeping operations.
From 2019 onwards, China’s honey production remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 444 thousand tonnes and 472 thousand tonnes annually. Production recovered slightly after 2018, reaching 472.7 thousand tonnes in 2021, before experiencing minor declines in the following years. By 2024, production stood at approximately 444.8 thousand tonnes, indicating a moderate decline compared with the beginning of the observation period. Despite these fluctuations, China maintained a consistently high production base, highlighting the scale and efficiency of its honey-producing sector.
The country’s honey industry benefits from extensive beekeeping activities, diverse floral resources, and a large network of commercial and small-scale apiaries. Honey production contributes significantly to agricultural value chains by supporting pollination services, rural employment, and food supply systems. The long-term trend suggests that while annual output varies due to environmental and operational factors, China continues to remain one of the leading honey-producing countries globally.
Overall, China’s honey production from 2015 to 2024 reflects a mature and large-scale apiculture sector with strong production capacity. Future growth potential depends on sustainable beekeeping practices, improved hive management, technological adoption, and adaptation to changing climatic conditions.
- Indicator
- Honey Production
- Country
- China
- Region
- Asia
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is China 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.
What was China Honey Production in 2024?
China Honey Production was 444.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 4% on 2023.
How has China Honey Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
China Honey Production moved from 473 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 444.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−6%), an average of −0.7% a year. The series high was 555 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the low 444.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
Which year had the highest and lowest China Honey Production?
The highest value was 555 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the lowest was 444.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
What does the China Honey Production data include and exclude?
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.
Where does the China Honey Production data come from?
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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