Honey production refers to the annual quantity of natural honey harvested from managed honeybee colonies through beekeeping activities.
South Korea Honey Production was 31.22 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 2.9% on 2023. South Korea’s honey production demonstrated a gradual and steady growth pattern between 2015 and 2024, reflecting improvements in beekeeping practices, increasing adoption of modern apiculture techniques, and continued demand for natural honey products.
South Korea Honey Production moved from 27.48 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 31.22 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+13.6%), an average of +1.4% a year. The series high was 32.33 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the low 25.87 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2017) is 6.46 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −20% in 2017.
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, South Korea ranks 13 for 2024, behind China (444.8 Thousand Tonnes) and India (146 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 1.6% of the global total in 2024.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31.22 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 30.34 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 29.47 | +3.8% |
| 2021 | 28.40 | −0.7% |
| 2020 | 28.59 | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 27.96 | +1.9% |
| 2018 | 27.42 | +6% |
| 2017 Trough | 25.87 | −20% |
| 2016Peak | 32.33 | +17.6% |
| 2015 | 27.48 | — |
Regional context
Honey Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. South Korea is highlighted.
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.
Production started at approximately 27.48 thousand tonnes in 2015 and increased significantly to 32.33 thousand tonnes in 2016, representing the highest growth during the initial years. However, production declined to 25.87 thousand tonnes in 2017 before recovering gradually in subsequent years, indicating fluctuations influenced by weather conditions, bee colony health, and environmental factors affecting honey production.
From 2018 onwards, South Korea’s honey production maintained a stable upward trend. Output increased from 27.42 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 27.96 thousand tonnes in 2019, followed by further growth to 28.59 thousand tonnes in 2020. Production remained consistent during 2021, recording approximately 28.40 thousand tonnes, and continued increasing to 29.47 thousand tonnes in 2022. By 2024, honey production reached around 31.22 thousand tonnes, showing a strong recovery compared with earlier years and indicating the resilience of the country’s apiculture sector.
The South Korean honey industry is supported by organized beekeeping networks, advanced agricultural practices, and diverse floral resources that contribute to honey production. Beekeeping also plays an important role in supporting agricultural ecosystems through pollination services, particularly for fruit and vegetable cultivation. Despite challenges such as climate variability, declining bee populations, and environmental pressures, the sector has maintained stable production levels through improved hive management and technological adoption.
From a macro indicator perspective, South Korea’s honey production reflects a mature and efficiently managed apiculture industry with consistent long-term growth potential. The increase from 27.48 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 31.22 thousand tonnes in 2024 highlights strengthening production capacity and improved sector performance. Future growth opportunities will depend on sustainable beekeeping practices, protection of pollinator populations, and continued innovation within the honey production industry.
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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 Korea Honey Production was 31.22 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 2.9% on 2023.
South Korea Honey Production moved from 27.48 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 31.22 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+13.6%), an average of +1.4% a year. The series high was 32.33 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the low 25.87 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
The highest value was 32.33 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the lowest was 25.87 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
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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