The volume of Ukrainian honey exports to the European Union has significantly decreased in recent years—from over 50,000 tons to less than 30,000. The main reason for this decline is growing competition from China, India, and Turkey, which offer honey at considerably lower prices, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to UBN.
According to Valeriy Kureiko, director of the company “Ascania-Pack,” the price of Chinese honey on the European market is about €1.3–1.5 per kilogram, whereas Ukrainian honey sells for €1.8–2. Due to this price gap, Ukrainian producers are becoming less competitive.
Another issue is that some Ukrainian exporters are trying to maintain their market presence by lowering prices, often at the expense of product quality. This negatively impacts the reputation of Ukrainian honey among European consumers.
In 2023, Ukraine’s share in the European honey market dropped to 20%, although just a few years ago it exceeded 35%. At the same time, Turkey, which has recently ramped up its honey exports to the EU, now holds 11% of the market.
The European beekeepers’ organization Copa-Cogeca has also confirmed increasing pressure from cheap imported products. In April 2024, beekeepers from 13 EU countries took to the streets demanding protection from unfair competition and stricter quality control over imported honey.
The growing competition in the European market forces Ukrainian producers to rethink their export strategies, particularly by focusing on quality and promoting value-added products.
Earlier we wrote that hryvnia weakens.