Higher over the period
Italy Honey Production moved from 9.63 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 21.86 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+126.9%), an average of +9.5% a year. The series high was 25.16 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 9.50 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
What Italy Honey Production shows
Italy Honey Production was 21.86 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.8% on 2023. Italy’s honey production showed a dynamic growth pattern with significant annual variations between 2015 and 2024, influenced by climatic conditions, agricultural landscapes, bee colony performance, and changes within the country’s apiculture sector. Honey production was recorded at approximately 9.63 thousand tonnes in 2015, followed by a slight increase to 9.70 thousand tonnes in 2016.
A 62.2% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2017) is 15.66 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +133.4% in 2018.
Ranks 15 of 27 countries covered
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, Italy ranks 15 for 2024, behind China (444.8 Thousand Tonnes) and India (146 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 1.1% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Italy 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 | 21.86 | −0.8% |
| 2023 | 22.03 | −12.4% |
| 2022Peak | 25.16 | +102% |
| 2021 | 12.45 | −33.1% |
| 2020 | 18.60 | +20.7% |
| 2019 | 15.41 | −30.5% |
| 2018 | 22.18 | +133.4% |
| 2017 Trough | 9.50 | −2.1% |
| 2016 | 9.70 | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 9.63 | — |
Regional context
How Italy compares in Europe
Honey Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. Italy is highlighted.
1Russia65.46
2Ukraine53.49
3Spain33.18
4Italy21.86
5France20.03
6Finland2.30
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.
Production remained relatively stable in the following years before witnessing substantial growth, reaching 22.18 thousand tonnes in 2018. The sector continued to experience fluctuations, with production declining in some years due to environmental challenges but recovering strongly, reaching around 25.16 thousand tonnes in 2022 and maintaining a high output level of approximately 21.86 thousand tonnes in 2024.
The overall trend reflects the growing importance and resilience of Italy’s honey industry, supported by diverse agricultural regions, favourable floral resources, and a strong tradition of beekeeping. Italy benefits from a wide variety of honey-producing plants, enabling the production of different honey types and supporting both domestic consumption and commercial markets. However, annual variations in production highlight the impact of external factors such as extreme weather events, changing seasonal patterns, pest pressures, and variations in flowering conditions that influence honey yields.
Italy’s honey production sector includes professional and small-scale beekeepers operating across different regions, contributing to rural economies and agricultural sustainability through pollination services. The industry plays an important role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting crop productivity while meeting consumer demand for natural and high-quality honey products. Despite fluctuations throughout the period, Italy has demonstrated strong production capacity and adaptability within the European honey market. Overall, Italy’s honey production from 2015 to 2024 highlights a developing and resilient apiculture sector with periods of expansion, environmental challenges, and continued significance in the country’s agricultural economy.
- Indicator
- Honey Production
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Europe
- 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 Italy 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 Italy Honey Production in 2024?
Italy Honey Production was 21.86 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.8% on 2023.
How has Italy Honey Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
Italy Honey Production moved from 9.63 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 21.86 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+126.9%), an average of +9.5% a year. The series high was 25.16 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 9.50 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
Which year had the highest and lowest Italy Honey Production?
The highest value was 25.16 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the lowest was 9.50 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
What does the Italy 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 Italy 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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