Lower over the period
Japan Honey Production moved from 2.87 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 2.64 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−8%), an average of −0.9% a year. The series high was 2.93 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the low 2.53 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
What Japan Honey Production shows
Japan Honey Production was 2.64 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 0% on 2023. Japan’s honey production showed a relatively stable trend with minor fluctuations between 2015 and 2024, reflecting the characteristics of its developed but comparatively small-scale apiculture sector. Honey production started at approximately 2.865 thousand tonnes in 2015 and remained within a narrow range throughout the decade.
A 13.7% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2020) and low (2022) is 0.402 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −7.9% in 2022.
Ranks 25 of 27 countries covered
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, Japan ranks 25 for 2024, behind China (444.8 Thousand Tonnes) and India (146 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.1% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Japan 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 | 2.64 | 0% |
| 2023 | 2.64 | +4.3% |
| 2022 Trough | 2.53 | −7.9% |
| 2021 | 2.75 | −6.3% |
| 2020Peak | 2.93 | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 2.91 | +3% |
| 2018 | 2.83 | 0% |
| 2017 | 2.83 | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 2.75 | −3.9% |
| 2015 | 2.87 | — |
Regional context
How Japan compares in Asia
Honey Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. Japan is highlighted.
1China444.8
2India146
3Turkey95.49
4Iran80.25
5South Korea31.22
6Vietnam25.46
7Thailand11.68
11Japan2.64
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 slightly declined to 2.754 thousand tonnes in 2016 before gradually increasing to 2.911 thousand tonnes in 2019, representing the highest output recorded during the initial years of the period. This stability highlights consistent beekeeping practices and steady honey production capacity across the country.
From 2020 onwards, Japan’s honey production experienced moderate variations. Output remained close to 2.9 thousand tonnes in 2020, followed by a gradual decline to 2.745 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 2.527 thousand tonnes in 2022, which marked the lowest production level during the period. However, production showed signs of recovery in the following years, reaching approximately 2.636 thousand tonnes in 2023 and 2.637 thousand tonnes in 2024. The overall trend indicates a relatively stable production pattern with limited expansion or contraction over the decade.
Japan’s honey industry is supported by domestic beekeeping activities, including both commercial and small-scale apiaries. The sector benefits from diverse floral resources and contributes to agricultural productivity through honeybee pollination services, particularly for fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop cultivation. However, limited agricultural land availability, urbanization, and challenges related to maintaining bee colonies influence the overall production scale.
From a macro indicator perspective, Japan’s honey production reflects a mature apiculture market where output remains consistent rather than experiencing rapid growth. The slight recovery after 2022 suggests resilience within the sector, supported by improved hive management practices and continued demand for natural honey products. Future production potential will depend on strengthening beekeeping infrastructure, protecting pollinator populations, and adopting sustainable apiculture methods.
- Indicator
- Honey Production
- Country
- Japan
- 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 Japan 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 Japan Honey Production in 2024?
Japan Honey Production was 2.64 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 0% on 2023.
How has Japan Honey Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
Japan Honey Production moved from 2.87 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 2.64 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−8%), an average of −0.9% a year. The series high was 2.93 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the low 2.53 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
Which year had the highest and lowest Japan Honey Production?
The highest value was 2.93 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the lowest was 2.53 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
What does the Japan 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 Japan 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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