Honey Harvest 2026: Why the World is Looking to India to Fill the “Honey Gap”

In 2026, India is positioned to fill the global ‘honey gap’ caused by the continued decline of bee colonies in the US. With stable production and a strategic MEP of US$1,400/MT, India currently stands as the world’s third-largest exporter, providing a critical alternative for disrupted global markets.

India has extended the Minimum Export Price (MEP) for natural honey exports as part of its ongoing efforts to stabilize domestic markets and protect producer interests. As per notification No. 09/2026-27 issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade in April 2026, the existing MEP of US$1,400/metric ton (Free on Board) for natural honey (ITC(HS) Code 04090000) will remain in force until December 31, 2026.

Strategic use of a price floor

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MEP is a regulatory price floor set by the DGFT that determines the minimum permissible export price for specific goods. For natural honey, the current MEP is US$1,400/MT (FOB), and it operates as a mandatory compliance requirement for exporters.

The continuation of the MEP for honey reflects a calibrated policy approach to managing agri-exports. While natural honey exports are officially classified as “free,” the imposition of a minimum price threshold effectively regulates outbound trade by preventing exports below a specified value.

By maintaining the MEP, the central government is emphasizing value realization over volume expansion. This signals a shift away from price-led competition toward sustaining margins and pricing discipline in international markets.

Core MEP mechanism: Enforced price threshold

Once the central government or trade authority specifies minimum FOB price per metric ton, exporters are not allowed to ship honey below the said price. Customs authorities verify export declarations to ensure compliance.

Operational workflow

Step 1: Commercial negotiation

• Exporters negotiate pricing with overseas buyers.
• If the agreed price is below US$1,400/MT, the transaction cannot proceed.
• Only contracts at or above the MEP are viable.

Step 2: Export documentation

• Exporters declare the FOB value in the shipping bill.
• Authorities cross-check the declared price against the MEP.

Step 3: Customs validation

• Price ≥ US$1,400/MT → Shipment is cleared
• Price < US$1,400/MT → Shipment may be rejected or withheld

India’s honey sector: Production, diversity, and export performance

India’s honey industry is supported by abundant natural resources, as honey production relies on nectar and pollen derived from a wide range of flowering plants. The diverse ecosystem, comprising both wild and cultivated vegetation, offers added advantage for apiculture, with nearly 500 plant species serving as important sources of nectar and pollen.

Export performance

India has established itself as a notable exporter of natural honey in the global market. As of 2025, the country stands as the third-largest exporter.

Source: ITC Trade Map

In FY 2024-25, the country exported approximately 100,773 metric tons of honey, valued at around US$206.47 million, according to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS).

Source: ITC Trade Map

This export performance underscores India’s growing integration into international agri-value chains and the rising demand for its honey products.

Honey varietal diversity in India

India produces a wide range of honey varieties, driven by its diverse flora and climatic conditions. Key types include rapeseed and mustard honey, eucalyptus honey, lychee honey, sunflower honey, karanj (pongamea) honey, acacia honey, and wild flora honey.

Multi-floral and mono-floral variants, particularly those sourced from Himalayan regions, are also prominent in both domestic and export markets.

Key production regions

Honey production in India is geographically dispersed, with a few states accounting for a significant share of output. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), major honey producing states include Uttar Pradesh (17.11 percent), West Bengal (16.20 percent), Punjab (14.08 percent), Bihar (12.33 percent), and Rajasthan (9.15 percent).

Supporting producers and strengthening the value chain via MEP

India’s honey industry is largely driven by small-scale producers and decentralized beekeeping networks. In such a structure, producers often face limited bargaining power and are vulnerable to price suppression.

The MEP acts as a protective mechanism by ensuring that export transactions meet a minimum valuation, thereby improving price transmission across the supply chain. This helps stabilize producer incomes and reduces the likelihood of distress selling, particularly during periods of global price volatility and oversupply.

Toward a value-driven export strategy

Extension of the MEP is not merely a regulatory continuation but a strategic intervention aimed at reshaping India’s honey export landscape. By retaining the current threshold through 2026, India is reinforcing a long-term shift toward premiumization, quality assurance, and sustainable value creation.

Central government’s policy’s effectiveness will ultimately depend on industry alignment, particularly investments in traceability, quality enhancement, and market diversification, to strengthen India’s position as a competitive and reliable supplier in global honey markets.

India’s honey export potential: Global supply shock creates opportunity

Global honey market is undergoing a structural disruption, led by a severe production crisis in the United States. As per 2025 estimates, the US honeybee colonies declined by over 55 percent, with some regions reporting losses as high as 70 percent. This has drastically reduced honey output, with yields per colony also falling.

The crisis has been driven by a combination of climate-related stress, pesticide exposure, and disease outbreaks, including the spread of Varroa mites. Similar trends are emerging across Europe, pointing to a broader global supply-demand imbalance, often described as a growing “honey gap.”

A sustained supply shortage in key consuming markets is pushing up import dependence, creating a strategic opening for export-oriented producers like India.

ALSO READ: India’s Food Processing Industry in 2026: Growth Trends, PLI Impact, and Export Performance

Rising prices signal strong demand conditions

Global honey prices have surged sharply, particularly in the US, where prices have increased by 30-50 percent due to supply constraints. Other major exporters such as Brazil (premium organic positioning), Ukraine (supply disruptions), and Argentina (high-quality exports) are also witnessing elevated price levels.

In contrast, India’s export prices have remained relatively stable, supported by:

1. MEP controls
2. Adequate production levels
3. A bulk-focused export mix

India holds a price competitiveness advantage but must transition toward higher-value segments to fully benefit from global price upcycles.

Structural risk of overdependence on a single market

India’s honey exports remain heavily concentrated, with the US accounting for approximately 78 percent of total exports as of FY 2024-25. While exports to the US grew strongly in early 2025, this trajectory suffered headwinds due to:

1. An initial 50 percent tariff imposed by the US, now reduced to 18 percent as of February 6, 2026.
2. Erosion of India’s price advantage relative to competitors
3. Increasing competition from premium suppliers

As a result, exports to the US are expected to moderate.

Market concentration exposes India to policy and tariff shocks, underscoring the need for diversification.

Emerging markets offer diversification potential

To offset risks in the US market, India can expand into alternative destinations such as Thailand, South Korea, etc.

These markets have demonstrated robust import growth (18-20 percent CAGR) in recent years, albeit from a smaller base.

Implication: Diversification into emerging markets can reduce dependency risks, unlock new demand pockets and improve long-term export stability.

Enhancing quality perception in global markets

The global honey trade has increasingly come under scrutiny for issues such as adulteration and inconsistent quality standards. In this context, pricing plays an important signaling role.

A relatively higher export price threshold helps position Indian honey within a more credible quality bracket. It discourages low-value shipments that may raise compliance concerns and supports adherence to stringent international standards, particularly in regulated markets.

Competitive positioning: Volume vs value

India’s honey exports are currently dominated by bulk floral honey, which limits pricing power compared to premium exporters like Brazil. Additionally:

1. MEP (around US$1,400/MT) ensures price discipline but may restrict flexibility
2. Limited penetration in certified organic and traceable segments
3. Increasing global focus on quality and authenticity

To emerge as a leading exporter, India must shift from volume-driven exports and move towards value-driven, differentiated products.

Why scaling honey exports matters for India

1. Rural income support: The honey sector is closely linked to smallholder farmers and beekeepers. Expanding exports can enhance income stability across rural value chains.
2. Agri-export diversification: Honey represents a high-potential niche export, reducing reliance on traditional commodities.
3. Global value chain integration: Strengthening exports can position India as a reliable supplier in a market facing structural shortages.
4. Sustainability linkages: Beekeeping supports pollination and biodiversity, aligning with global sustainability priorities.

Outlook: Can India become a top honey exporter in FY 2026-27?

India is well-positioned to scale its presence in the global honey trade due to its strong production base, competitive pricing, and expanding global demand amid supply constraints.

However, achieving leadership status will depend on:

1. Market diversification beyond the US
2. Upgrading quality, traceability, and certification standards
3. Moving into premium and branded segments

Bottom line

The current global disruption presents a window of opportunity. If leveraged strategically, India can transition from a volume supplier to a leading, value-driven honey exporter in FY 2026-27 and beyond.

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