Honey production refers to the annual quantity of natural honey harvested from managed honeybee colonies through beekeeping activities.
South America Honey Production was 172.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 2.2% on 2023. South America’s honey production demonstrated a strong growth trend between 2015 and 2024, reflecting the region’s expanding commercial beekeeping sector, favorable climatic conditions, and increasing international demand for natural honey. The region’s production is supported by major honey-producing countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile, each contributing to overall regional output.
South America Honey Production moved from 123.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 172.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+39.8%), an average of +3.8% a year. The series high was 172.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 and the low 123.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2015) is 49.14 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +12% in 2016.
Within South America, Argentina has the highest value in 2024 at 69.30 Thousand Tonnes, 40.1% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Thousand Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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By region
Thousand Tonnes, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024Peak | 172.7 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | 169 | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 168.3 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | 164.9 | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 160.7 | +8.6% |
| 2019 | 147.9 | −3% |
| 2018 | 152.5 | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 151.4 | +9.4% |
| 2016 | 138.4 | +12% |
| 2015 Trough | 123.6 | — |
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.
Improvements in beekeeping practices, abundant floral resources, and growing export opportunities have strengthened South America’s position in the global honey industry.
Brazil recorded consistent growth throughout the decade, with honey production increasing from approximately 37.86 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 67.31 thousand tonnes in 2024, highlighting significant expansion in production capacity. Argentina remained one of the region’s leading producers, although production fluctuated between 52.60 thousand tonnes and 79.47 thousand tonnes, before stabilizing at 69.30 thousand tonnes in 2024. Colombia demonstrated gradual growth, with production rising from 3.11 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 6.33 thousand tonnes in 2024, while Chile maintained relatively stable production levels despite moderate annual fluctuations.
South America’s honey industry benefits from diverse climatic zones, extensive natural vegetation, and favorable flowering conditions that support large-scale beekeeping operations. The region is an important exporter of natural honey, with production contributing to rural employment, agricultural sustainability, and pollination services across numerous crop sectors. Commercial apiaries and technological improvements have further enhanced production efficiency and product quality.
From a macro indicator perspective, South America’s honey production reflects a competitive and steadily growing apiculture sector with strong export potential. Rising production across several countries demonstrates increasing investment in modern beekeeping practices and improved productivity. Although annual output varies due to climatic conditions and environmental factors, the region remains an important contributor to global honey production. Continued focus on sustainable beekeeping, quality assurance, and technological innovation is expected to support future industry growth and strengthen South America’s global market position.
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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.
South America Honey Production was 172.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 2.2% on 2023.
South America Honey Production moved from 123.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 172.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+39.8%), an average of +3.8% a year. The series high was 172.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 and the low 123.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 172.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 and the lowest was 123.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
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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