Honey imports to Cyprus from countries outside the European Union decreased between 2016 and 2021, while exports to countries outside the EU increased during the same period, according to data published by Eurostat on the occasion of the UN’s World Honey Bee Day on August 20.

In 2021, EU member states imported 173,400 tonnes of natural honey from non-EU countries worth €405.9 million. In contrast, during the same year, just 25,500 tonnes were exported by EU member states outside the EU, worth €146.6 million.

Compared with 2016, honey imports from outside the EU increased by 7 per cent in terms of weight, while EU exports to non-EU countries decreased by 10 per cent.

According to the same data, Cyprus imported 64 tonnes of honey in 2021 from countries outside the EU worth €126,781 and exported 11 tonnes worth €81,620.

In 2021, honey imports to Cyprus from countries outside the EU were lower than in 2016 when the country had imported 109 tonnes worth €286,865. During the same period exports to non-EU countries increased from four tonnes that had been exported in 2016 worth €27,713.

Germany was the largest EU importer of honey from non-EU countries in 2021, having imported 51,900 tonnes or 30 per cent of total EU imports, followed by Poland with 32,200 tonnes in imports or 19 per cent of the total. Belgium, Spain, and Portugal were next on the list.

Imports of honey from non-EU countries in 2021 came mainly from Ukraine, 53,800 tonnes, or 31 per cent of the total imports, followed by China 48,000 tonnes or 28 per cent, Mexico 15,500 tonnes, 9 per cent), Argentina 14,400 tonnes, 8 per cent and Brazil 7,900 tonnes or 5 per cent.