HOW MUCH HONEY WAS EXPORTED FROM UKRAINE IN 2022

The full-scale war significantly affected all sectors of the Ukrainian economy. Agricultural production, including beekeeping, was significantly affected. According to industry experts, honey production in Ukraine in 2022 decreased by 20-25%. accordingly, the volume of honey collection and export decreased.

In general, the volume of honey collected in Ukraine last year was 120-140 thousand tons.  As for exports, the first half of the year was completely a failure, and in the second half it was already possible to partially restore the sale of honey abroad, and for the whole of 2022, the volume of honey exports amounted to about 51 thousand tons of honey.  For comparison, this is 10 thousand tons less than exported in 2021.  This decline is caused by a large number of problems — logistics complications, lack of access to honey from beekeeping farms located in the frontline or occupied territories, physical destruction of many apiaries, as well as a restrained approach of some buyers, given the general situation.

But despite all the difficulties, producers have produced a certain amount of products, and in the 2022 harvest can be considered not bad, so honey exports continue despite the war.

Another issue that industry workers often talk about is the purchase prices for honey. they do not always meet the expectations of beekeepers. However, it should be understood that the process of honey production is one thing, selling honey is another, and exporting is quite another! Each link in this chain requires its own efforts and professional approach. The work of exporters, as well as the work of beekeepers, is also quite complex and therefore has its own added value. The vast majority of beekeepers are technically unable to complete the export task. It's all about finding customers abroad, but also about regulations, accounting, and obtaining the necessary permits, which creates significant difficulties for small producers to export. An alternative is to bring together beekeepers who can do all the necessary work togethe.

Information. Ukraine is one of the world's largest honey exporters — for example, in 2021 Ukraine took the 2nd place in the world ranking. Other major honey exporting countries include China, Argentina, India and Brazil.