Sweet Harvest Foods Q1 2026 Honey Market Report

Key Takeaways:

Tariffs, geopolitical events and regulatory actions are driving volatility across global honey markets
US honey production declined 14% in 2025 due to fewer colonies and lower yields

Strong early-season demand is pushing prices higher for honey from Argentina
Weather in Vietnam is expected to limit early-season supply, while greater demand from the US and EU markets is pushing prices higher
The tariff rate reduction is benefiting Indian supply, but higher transportation and energy costs are offsetting
Ocean carriers are imposing fuel surcharges due to high oil prices and the conflict in the Middle East
New EU labeling regulations will likely increase demand for honey of non-China origins
The Minimum Export Price for honey from India has been extended through the end of 2026

In February, the US Supreme Court overturned the IEEPA tariffs instituted in 2025; a replacement 10% tariff was imposed for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, with additional tariffs expected later in 2026
The USDA reported that US honey production was down 14% to 116M lbs in 2025, driven by lower hive count and yield per colony
FDA sampling in 2025 showed a 4% adulteration rate in domestic and imported honey, in line with findings from the previous sampling

Two US Congressional Representatives have proposed the China Trade Cheating Restitution Act, which would allocate collected anti-dumping duties to US beekeepers instead of the US government
Honey industry anti-dumping activity will likely complicate and/or delay refunds associated with IEEPA tariffs

Sweet Harvest Foods completed a wide-reaching market research study and identified six distinct consumer segments in the retail honey market. Contact us for details and insights.

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