Export to Germany stopped
War in Ukraine makes honey scarcer and more expensive
03/24/2022, 1:45 p.m
Around a sixth of German honey imports come from the Ukraine. However, due to the Russian war of aggression, trade routes are blocked and deliveries fail. According to the honey association, this cannot be compensated for. Price increases are therefore to be expected.
The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine is also having a negative impact on the honey market in Germany – importers fear shortages. Trade routes are blocked and Ukraine is the most important supplier of honey, said Christina Hüsing, specialist at the Honey Association.
According to the association, it is uncertain when and if deliveries from Ukraine could be made again at all. “If there are shortages, there may be price increases.” However, it is difficult to estimate how many more consumers might have to lie down for the sweet spread in the future. “But I don’t think honey will be twice as expensive,” said Hüsing.
2020 were after Data from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture 29,200 tons of honey produced in Germany. Around 87,800 tons were imported. Ukraine, Mexico and Argentina were the most important countries of origin. After Association information, which represents honey importers and bottlers, around 15,000 tons of honey are imported from Ukraine every year. According to the association, this corresponds to about one sixth of the total deliveries. “The lack of honey from Ukraine cannot be adequately compensated by other countries in the short term,” it said. With around 65,000 tons of annual production, the Ukraine is one of the largest producers in the world.
According to the association, the geographical proximity to Ukraine – especially compared to Mexico and Argentina – enables short-term deliveries. That’s why the German side tended not to “keep their own warehousing or stockpiling”. Accordingly, since the beginning of the war ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, deliveries have not been made. “There are currently hardly any alternative honey offers on the European continent.”
According to the ministry, honey consumption per capita in Germany was more than one kilo in 2020. That was a slight increase compared to last year, when everyone consumed 975 grams.