Beekeeping Market

Global Beekeeping Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The size of the global beekeeping market is expected to be worth USD 7.86 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 4.50% from 2024 to 2029 to achieve USD 9.79  billion by 2029.

Current Scenario of the Global Beekeeping Market

Beekeeping is a growing market in North America, Asia and Northern Europe. The increased consumption of organic products is propelling the market growth. The growing pace of honey application in pharmaceuticals and food and beverages industries particularly worldwide is also a major contributor to the expansion of the market. As per industry experts, more than 101 million bee colonies are present globally. The USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture data reveals a significant surge in overall colonies to a record-breaking 3.8 million in the United States with close to a million bee colonies being created in the last five years This will considerably drive the market forward. It further found that despite all the progress, honey production only increased by 11 per cent the previous year. Their collapse is still a highly relevant risk which is expected to impede the beekeeping market growth.

MARKET DRIVERS

The rising health concerns due to extensive consumption of processed or ready-made foods are fueling the need for natural sugar alternatives.

COVID-19 exposed several negative effects of processed sugars and artificial substitutes which shifted consumer behaviour in favour of organic products. Also, since apiculture goods like honey are regarded and viewed as extremely nutritious and contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial agents so, customers started using it as a naturally found sweetener for its advantages towards well-being. Likewise, the sale of certified organic products in the US in 2023 was close to a new height of 70 billion dollars, as per the 2024 Organic Industry Survey.

Moreover, renewed support from governments of major economies as they are forming rules, regulations and recommendations for beekeeping and honey production, driving forward the market growth.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Climate change, pests, diseases and pesticides are the biggest restraints for the beekeeping market.

These factors are causing difficulties in protecting and nurturing the bees in several parts of the world. Even though the population of honey bees grew, however, the Wild bee populations have been dropping for many years. According to research, eight bee species are officially reported endangered including the rusty patched bumblebee and seven types of Hawaiian yellow-faced bee.

Moreover, the industry is also being constrained because of the higher honey adulteration and a reduction in the number of beehives and beekeepers coupled with the lack of enhanced agricultural equipment. Honey adulterations particularly prevent the market from reaching its maximum potential.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Growing customer attention towards apiculture goods, technological developments to help safeguard the health and reverse the pattern and digital transformation are presenting potential opportunities for the beekeeping market. Besides this, the United States, China and Europe are emerging marketplaces. Considering the persistent rise in diabetes and obesity patients worldwide, especially in India the demand for beekeeping will increase in future. India needs more scientific ground and data on this field possess huge prospects.

People are progressively consuming immunity-boosting items, particularly after the COVID-19 crisis. Honey in recent times is been progressively used as a natural remedy for building immunity, and the value of the market is predicted to experience a healthy rise during the forecasted period. Apart from this, the use of honey is also growing in the pharmaceutical sector due to the presence of various amino acids, enzymes, minerals and other natural substances.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Habitat destruction from extensive changes in land use, costly management and the presence of invasive species like Asian and African hornets are key challenges for the beekeeping market. Like, in January 2024, the Italian MEPs approached the European Commission to stop the widely spreading yellow-legged Asian hornet called “Vespa velutina” from killing the bees in certain EU nations. Similarly, a steep increase in the spotting of invasive species in the United Kingdom in 2023. This has substantially decreased honey production along with the European market growth rate. These have also become a significant problem for honey bees in North America. Additionally, the high costs involved in maintaining and protecting live bees are further hampering the upward growth trend of the market.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Global Beekeeping Market Analysis By Type

The honey segment gained the maximum portion of the beekeeping market share and is expected to expand further in the coming years. This is due to the increased adoption of measures and other efforts towards health and metabolism improvement and its beneficial properties. Moreover, as per industry experts, the Central African Republic had the highest per capita honey consumption in 2022 with 3.12 kg due to the absence of exports and imports, followed by Greece at 2.46 kg and Lithuania at third place with 2.25 kg. Furthermore, the rising number of emerging industrial or commercial use cases is also a key contributor to the segment’s market size. This includes cosmetics and personal care, pet food, health and wellness products, fermented products and specialty food and baking.

Global Beekeeping Market Analysis By Application

The food and beverages segment are the leading end-user industry in the beekeeping market and is believed to continue its dominance over the estimation period.  This can be credited to the rise of honey and other bee items in food preparations. Moreover, several industry players are adopting the promising strategy of integrating bee products into food items as a response to the trend of surging demand for natural sweeteners because of sugar’s adverse effects. Apart from this, sustainable bee protection and beekeeping are the essentials to secure future food manufacturing, ultimately driving the segment’s market size. However, one of the main challenges for the segment’s development is adulteration and contamination.

Global Beekeeping Market Analysis By Method

The traditional beekeeping segment holds the larger portion of the beekeeping market share with significant use in Africa, Asia and Latin America. On the other hand, the modern beekeeping segment is growing at a moderate pace and is expected to take a few years to expand its reach in developing and other countries. This is due to the lack of improved educational and training programs, time management issues in farm monitoring, the absence of beekeeping equipment and accessories, extension contracts, etc.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Asia Pacific is ruling with the largest beekeeping market share with China being the most prominent producer of honey and other bee items. Greater cultivation in China is due to the launch of new commercial producers, huge manufacturing capabilities, large honeybee diversity, higher volume of colonies and improved infrastructure compared to other nations in the region. Further, the import of live bees and insects resulted in an enormous growth of APAC’s market size. Other factors, like rising spending income, new product introductions and production expansion also accelerated the industry. For example, in April 2023, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), China introduced its maiden ‘zero carbon elephant-friendly honey’ to preserve the Asian Elephants.

Europe is the second largest beekeeping market which experienced robust growth because of the rising health awareness and the considerable presence of major industry players. Moreover, the region’s growth is mainly credited to the surging number of commercially grown bees, which augments honey production. As per the European authorities, the overall number of beehives in the EU reached 8104630. Besides this, the significance of beeswax in cosmetic items has also improved, as it is recognized as one of the organic preservatives, which boosts the producers to develop ‘beeswax-infused skincare and beauty items for customers. However, the climate change has severely affected the European beekeeping industry with Southern areas witnessing greater negative outlooks, while Northern ones stated more favourable experiences.

North America is a resurging beekeeping market led by the United States and is estimated to expand further during the forecast period. Recently, it recorded the highest-ever bee colonies i.e. 3.8 million. In addition, this region’s market growth is because of the growing cognizance of organic products in the food and beverages, pharma and medicinal, and cosmetic industries and rising governmental support, like the Pollinator Protection Program in the U.S., which helps the protection of pollinators, are some of the important reasons for the expansion of regional market size.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL BEEKEEPING MARKET

Major players of the global beekeeping market include Wonderful Co., Mann Lake Ltd., Kelly Beekeeping Company, Adee Honey Farms, Comvita Limited, Dabur India Ltd., Local Honey Man, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, Wax Green, BeeMaid Honey, Barkeman Honey, Beekepeer’s Natural’s, Y.S. Eco Bee Farms, and Dadant & Sons Inc.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET

• In January 2024, the European Commission announced the signing of the political contract between the European Parliament and the Council to examine and strengthen the current marketing standards applicable to honey, milk, fruit juices and jams. It is known as Breakfast Directives which states general laws and regulations on the structure, sales names, labelling and presentation of these items to ensure their free movement within the internal industry and assist customers make informed decisions.

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL BEEKEEPING MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global beekeeping market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on type, application, method, and region.

By Type

• Honey
• Beeswax
• Live-Bee
• Others

By Application

• Medical
• Food beverages
• Cosmetics
• Others

By Method

• Traditional Beekeeping
• Modern Beekeeping

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia and Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa