New Zealand’s honey export trade has established itself as a significant contributor to the country’s agricultural exports, with Manuka honey leading the way as a premium product. This analysis examines New Zealand honey export statistics based on Trade Map data.
New Zealand honey exports by year
Every year New Zealand exports honey from 8.7 thousand tonnes to 14.4 thousand tonnes. In 2023, honey exports was 11.2 thousand tonnes. In 2020, honey exports were 14.4 thousand tonnes. This is probably due to the pandemic and the resulting increased demand for honey as a natural product.
New Zealand honey exports in tonnes
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Tonnes | 8647 | 10645 | 9646 | 11071 | 9021 | 9418 | 14354 | 13823 | 11795 | 11208 |
The value of exported honey ranges from 168,158 thousand $ to 328,641 thousand $. In 2023, the value of exports was 243,262 thousand $. This export value makes New Zealand the second largest exporter of honey in the world after China.
Honey exports from New Zealand in thousands of $
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Thousands of $ | 168 158 | 200 043 | 206 126 | 269 135 | 245 567 | 228 775 | 328 641 | 327 153 | 266 731 | 243 262 |
The value of 1kg. of honey that is exported from New Zealand ranges from $19.4 to $27.2. In 2023, the value of 1kg. was $21.7. Honey from New Zealand is considered expensive relative to the cost of honey in other countries. For comparison, the price of 1kg. of honey exported globally in 2023 was $3.1
Value of 1 kg of exported honey in US$
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| US$ | 19,4 | 18,8 | 21,4 | 24,3 | 27,2 | 24,3 | 22,9 | 23,7 | 22,6 | 21,7 |
New Zealand honey exports by country in 2023
In 2023, New Zealand exported the most honey to the United States of America 2,123 tonnes, China 1,913 tonnes and United Kingdom 1,873 tonnes.
| Tonnes | Thousands of US$ | Value 1 kg, US$ | |
| United States of America | 2 123 | 47 453 | 22,4 |
| China | 1 913 | 42 426 | 22,2 |
| United Kingdom | 1 873 | 27 190 | 14,5 |
| Australia | 1 405 | 24 985 | 17,8 |
| Japan | 1 025 | 24 061 | 23,5 |
| Germany | 818 | 21 505 | 26,3 |
| Singapore | 422 | 8 826 | 20,9 |
| Hong Kong, China | 264 | 7 961 | 30,2 |
| Korea, Republic of | 211 | 7 485 | 35,5 |
| Netherlands | 181 | 4 061 | 22,4 |
| Canada | 168 | 5 811 | 34,6 |
| Saudi Arabia | 155 | 5 616 | 36,2 |
| Malaysia | 116 | 2 239 | 19,3 |
| United Arab Emirates | 101 | 3 069 | 30,4 |
| France | 71 | 2 330 | 32,8 |
| Taipei, Chinese | 69 | 1 694 | 24,6 |
| Kuwait | 40 | 1 688 | 42,2 |
| Indonesia | 36 | 421 | 11,7 |
| Poland | 34 | 481 | 14,1 |
| Ireland | 29 | 224 | 7,7 |
| Papua New Guinea | 26 | 103 | 4,0 |
| Switzerland | 17 | 561 | 33,0 |
| Austria | 16 | 428 | 26,8 |
| Romania | 15 | 296 | 19,7 |
| Spain | 11 | 188 | 17,1 |
| Thailand | 11 | 204 | 18,5 |
| Italy | 10 | 377 | 37,7 |
| Jordan | 6 | 107 | 17,8 |
| Qatar | 6 | 284 | 47,3 |
| Macao, China | 5 | 153 | 30,6 |
| Oman | 5 | 238 | 47,6 |
| Bahrain | 3 | 114 | 38,0 |
| Israel | 3 | 93 | 31,0 |
| India | 3 | 43 | 14,3 |
| Cook Islands | 2 | 21 | 10,5 |
| Hungary | 2 | 26 | 13,0 |
| Philippines | 2 | 63 | 31,5 |
| Serbia | 2 | 109 | 54,5 |
| South Africa | 2 | 44 | 22,0 |
| United States Minor Outlying Islands | 1 | 19 | 19,0 |
| Bulgaria | 1 | 26 | 26,0 |
| Cambodia | 1 | 53 | 53,0 |
| Croatia | 1 | 62 | 62,0 |
| Czech Republic | 1 | 47 | 47,0 |
| Iraq | 1 | 12 | 12,0 |
Conclusion
New Zealand’s honey export industry continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in a competitive global market. While challenges exist, the industry is well positioned for continued growth and success in international markets with its focus on quality, authenticity and sustainable practices.
- Trademap.org
