The European Union increased honey imports from Russia

In January-May 2021, Russia doubled honey exports in comparison with the same period of 2020 to 1,443 tons, and the number of destinations increased from 17 to 31.

Countries of the former USSR became the main consumers of Russian honey with 53% share in total honey exports, supplies increased by 159% and amounted to 755 tons.

"Bee deaths for more than a year in the former Soviet republics affected the volume of honey production and its variety. The historical similarity of taste preferences with Russian consumers and low-cost logistics, due to geographical proximity, make Russian honey the most attractive for imports. Russia can also offer well-known and popular regional brands of honey, which are not available in these countries," comments Andrey Dalnov, Head of RusAg’s Centre for Industry Expertise.

Kazakhstan was top-1 in honey purchases (+123% to 364 tons) and, due to the high growth, pushed the former leader China to the 2^nd place (+6% to 323 tons). Belarus was top-3 and doubled imports from Russia (+106% to 248 tons). Ukraine also entered the top-5 showing an increase of 26 times to 83 tons.

Depreciation of ruble exchange rate and the violation of seasonal staff recruitment due to COVID-19 restrictions in a number of countries led to an increase of honey exports from Russia.

The European Union stepped up the growth rate of Russian honey imports, and its share in the export of Russian honey increased from 2% to 15% per year. This was largely the result of the start of exports to Poland (141 tons) and Germany (21 tons), a strong increase was noted in the Czech Republic (+153% to 42 tons). Three countries were among the top-10 honey importers from Russia.

"Sugar replacement and trend to healthy nutrition became factors in increasing honey supplies in European Union. These factors have been reinforced by the perception of honey as a natural remedy. German market is the largest European importer of honey where average consumption of honey is about 1 kilogram per year. Therefore, supplies from Russia are needed not only to expand the range, but also to meet demand in general," says Andrey Dalnov.

TOP-10 countries importing honey from Russia, January-May 2021

14 more countries appeared in the pool of new importers of Russian honey: Serbia, Lithuania, Vietnam, Georgia, Morocco, Kuwait, the UAE, South Korea, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Malta, Liberia, the Bahamas and South Ossetia.

On the stage of opening new markets, small volumes mainly represent supplies to these countries.