In 2021, Ukraine has significantly reduced honey exports. Valeriy Kureiko, a beekeeper and co-owner of Znatny Med TM, spoke about this.

According to him, the export of honey in January-October 2021 amounted to 40.9 thousand tons, while last year it reached a record figure of more than 80 thousand tons.

Domestic farmers export the most honey to the EU countries, with the largest export volumes to Poland and Germany.

The top ten countries where Ukrainian honey is exported include the United States and Japan.

“By the end of 2021, exports may amount to about 50 thousand tons, which is just over 60% of the previous year. The reduction in honey harvests in many European countries, the continuation of the pandemic and the increased demand for natural honey should lead to an increase in exports, but in practice this did not happen, ”said the beekeeper.

He added that despite the increase in the cost of exported honey (from $ 1.8 in 2019 to $ 2.37 in 2021), the domestic market has become a priority for beekeepers who are direct producers of honey.

One of the main reasons for the decline in exports in 2021 is the increase in prices and the increase in demand in the domestic market of Ukraine. In this situation, many beekeepers started selling honey to domestic consumers. As a result, the domestic consumption of honey has increased and exceeded the volume of exports, "- said Valeriy Kureiko.

Among the largest importing countries of Ukrainian honey:

• Poland - 13 thousand tons;
• Germany - 7.7 thousand tons;
• USA - 2.3 thousand tons;
• Belgium - 2.2 thousand tons;
• Lithuania - 2.1 thousand tons;
• Czech Republic - 1.6 thousand tons;
• France - 1.5 thousand tons;
• Denmark - 1.3 thousand tons;
• Japan - 1 thousand tons;
• Hungary - 1 thousand tons.

In 2021, Ukraine imported 41.3 tons of honey, most of all from Romania, Poland and Germany.

Kurkul.com