Honey. It is now in your tea, in your salad, in your juice, in your yogurt, and even in your in face-pack. The golden fluid has gone mainstream as a health food and sugar substitute. According to data released by India Honey Alliance, the country now has 19.34 lakh bee colonies and India produces about 1,33,200 metric tonnes of honey annually. However, the honey data in India is not accurate to the last digit as many beekeepers are not registered with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) or the National Bee Board (NBB). In an exclusive interaction with Business Today, Deepak Jolly, General Secretary, India Honey Alliance unfolds the story of India’s honey industry and its possibilities.
Honey boom! 10% growth rate over the next 5 years Initially honey may have been only about health and medicinal usage but over years it has become part of our food and beverage menu. The beauty industry too has been increasingly using honey in its products. India Honey Alliance data shows the production of honey in India has shot up from 35,000 metric tonnes in 2005-06 to 1,20,000 metric tonnes in 2018-19 marking a 242.86 per cent growth. During 2019-20, India’s honey production was estimated at 1,15,000 metric tonnes. Independent estimates also suggest that the honey industry in India is slated to report a cumulative annual growth of 10 per cent between 2022 and 2027. “The market for honey and honey-based products in India is still at a nascent stage and offers a huge potential for growth. India now has the opportunity to be the ‘honey capital’ of the world. It is currently being denied the opportunity because of the absence of holistic data,” Jolly says.
Honey zones Honey is produced across India, but productivity varies from state to state. States like Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Punjab, West Bengal, Bihar, Kerala, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttaranchal have a high concentration of honey. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Shillong, and Orissa are medium-range producers while Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andaman Nicobar are low volume producers of honey in India.
Indian honey travels to 83 nations More than half of India's honey production is exported to other 83 nations while the largest importer is the USA. Other exporters are Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Canada, Qatar. India is one of the world's top honey exporters and has exported 74,413 metric tonnes of honey in 2021–2022 for Rs 1,221.17 crore. “The figures are under-reported and the scope for increased exports is unexploited as evident from the export data. India is the 9th largest exporter of natural honey, with only 3.85 per cent of global honey exports,” Jolly adds.
What is the valuation of the entire honey Industry in India? “With the pandemic putting the spotlight on the need for healthy living, the Indian honey market is buzzing with excitement,” says Jolly. The domestic market along with exports is valued at roughly Rs 3,000 crore.
The odds “The beekeeping industry faces many challenges which stem majorly from the fragmented nature of this sector. There is a disconnect amongst the various stakeholders and hence very important to strengthen the eco-system. Some of these challenges include missing data, lack of technical knowledge, market linkages and financial support, disease infestation in colonies, availability of flora and fauna,” Jolly adds.
Why a Honey Alliance? “India Honey Alliance (IHA) has been constituted as a dedicated industry body that focuses only on the interest of the honey industry. This will ensure that honey gets the place of pride it deserves, without getting lost in food associations that cater to the larger interest. IHA boasts of an inclusive membership with the top honey companies as founder members and includes beekeepers, farmers, processors, manufacturers, and scientific experts. We are here to make a difference,” says Jolly.
Homegrown honey brands The honey-manufacturing and packaging space have in recent years become interesting with the emergence of new labels. While Indian homes have traditionally consumed Dabur or Baidyanath honey bottles, they now have a wide range of alternative brands to choose from. Some interesting labels which are marketing themselves via social media and catering to a niche clientele are, Under The Mango Tree, Pahadi Local, Kapiva, Organica, Honey and Spice and more.
“Soothe your throat with honey, not words.” - Marty RubinHoney with everything Slather it on your bread or paranthas, have it with your pancakes, in your tea, coffee or however you want – honey has superior health benefits and is especially beneficial for all those living in polluted, congested cities. It is also a healthy high-energy supplement without any of sugar’s ills. Honey, it seems has finally found its place of pride on the Indian dining table.