Broadly stable
South Africa Honey Production moved from 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+0.3%), an average of +0% a year. The series high was 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 and the low 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
What South Africa Honey Production shows
South Africa Honey Production was 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 0% on 2023. South Africa’s honey production demonstrated a highly stable trend between 2015 and 2024, reflecting the consistency of its apiculture sector and the adaptability of beekeepers despite environmental and climatic challenges. Honey production started at approximately 1.08 thousand tonnes in 2015 and remained almost unchanged throughout the decade.
A 0.3% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2015) is 0.00305 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +0.1% in 2016.
Ranks 27 of 27 countries covered
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 27 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
South Africa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024Peak | 1.08 | 0% |
| 2023 | 1.08 | 0% |
| 2022 | 1.08 | 0% |
| 2021 | 1.08 | 0% |
| 2020 | 1.08 | 0% |
| 2019 | 1.08 | 0% |
| 2018 | 1.08 | 0% |
| 2017 | 1.08 | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 1.08 | +0.1% |
| 2015 Trough | 1.08 | — |
Regional context
How South Africa compares across countries
Honey Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. South Africa is highlighted.
1China444.8
2India146
3Turkey95.49
4Iran80.25
5Argentina69.30
6Brazil67.31
7Russia65.46
27South Africa1.08
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 recorded 1.08 thousand tonnes in 2016 and 2017, followed by marginal increases in subsequent years. The stability in output indicates a mature honey production system where annual variations are limited due to established beekeeping practices and consistent production capacity.
Between 2018 and 2024, South Africa’s honey production continued to maintain a steady pattern with minimal fluctuations. Production increased slightly from 1.083 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1.084 thousand tonnes in 2024, representing a gradual improvement over the period. The highest production level was recorded in 2024, reaching approximately 1.084 thousand tonnes, while the lowest output occurred in 2015 at around 1.081 thousand tonnes. The limited variation highlights the resilience and stability of the country’s honey-producing sector.
South Africa’s honey industry is supported by diverse ecosystems, agricultural landscapes, and flowering plant resources that provide suitable conditions for honeybee activities. The sector includes commercial and small-scale beekeeping operations that contribute to rural livelihoods, agricultural productivity, and pollination services. However, challenges such as drought conditions, climate variability, habitat changes, and bee health concerns influence the industry’s development.
From a macro indicator perspective, South Africa’s honey production reflects a stable but relatively small-scale apiculture sector. The marginal increase from 1.081 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 1.084 thousand tonnes in 2024 suggests steady performance rather than significant expansion. Future growth potential will depend on improving beekeeping efficiency, protecting pollinator populations, adopting sustainable practices, and strengthening the commercial value chain of the honey industry.
- Indicator
- Honey Production
- Country
- South Africa
- Region
- Africa
- 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 South Africa 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 South Africa Honey Production in 2024?
South Africa Honey Production was 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 0% on 2023.
How has South Africa Honey Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
South Africa Honey Production moved from 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+0.3%), an average of +0% a year. The series high was 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 and the low 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
Which year had the highest and lowest South Africa Honey Production?
The highest value was 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 and the lowest was 1.08 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
What does the South Africa 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 South Africa 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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