Honey is an important commodity used around the world for its several health benefits. Researchers have proved time and again that honey contains some essential minerals, vitamins as well as antioxidants that can help improve our health if consumed regularly. Honey gets its antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic, immune-boosting, antioxidant, and weight managing properties from the various nutrients and components present in it. But not all types of honey come with these natural properties. The organic raw variety features natural goodness, however, pasteurized unadulterated honey may lose these properties due to artificial sweeteners and overheating.
The huge demand for honey can be gauged by the global sales of natural honey in 2019. It amounted to $1.99 billion, with European countries leading the way by shipping honey worth $838.6 million, that’s roughly 42% of the overall international honey sales, as per World’s Top Exports. Asian exporters shipped 24.4% of the total honey, while Latin America (excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean) exported 13.5% of the global honey sales. China exported the highest dollar value worth of natural honey at $235.3 million in 2019.
India shipped natural honey worth Rs 732.1 crore ($99.6 million) or 5% of the global sales, making it the sixth-largest honey exporter in the world in 2019. The USA, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Qatar are major importers of Indian natural honey. Between 2005 and 2018, the honey production in India increased by 200% to reach 1.05 lakh (105 thousand) metric tons.The industry grew at a CAGR of 10.9% between 2012 and 2019 and is projected to reach Rs 2086 crore (approx.$281 million) by the end of 2024, as per Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).