Beijing, June 13, 2025 – China’s bee product exports showed resilience amidst global headwinds during the first four months of 2025, with an overall dip countered by a promising April rebound and explosive growth in select markets like Germany and the U.S., according to the latest China Customs data.
Overall Performance: Slight Decline, April Recovery
- Jan-Apr 2025:Exports to 86 countries totaled 57,698 metric tons (MT), valued at $102.43 million USD, marking declines of -1.24% (volume) and -4.25% (value) year-on-year (YoY). Top markets: Japan, UK, Belgium.
- April 2025:Exports to 66 countries reached 15,005 MT (+8.84% YoY) worth $26.16 million (+1.91% YoY), signaling a positive shift. The UK market shone, with volume/value surging over 13%.
Category Deep Dive: Divergent Trends
- Honey (Dominant Product):
- Jan-Apr:Exported 56,337 MT (+1.31% YoY) worth $86.38 million (-3.49% YoY) to 50 countries. The UK overtook Japan as the top destination. Exports to the UK surged (+12.41% vol, +14.67% value), while Japan saw a significant value drop (-9.04%).
- April:14,740 MT (+9.36% YoY) worth $22.48 million (+4.88% YoY). Weakness in Japan persisted (-5.32% vol, -12.82% value).
- Royal Jelly (Deep Adjustment):
- Jan-Apr:Exports plunged to 8 MT (-15.71% YoY) worth $9.546 million (-15.87% YoY) to 58 countries. Japan remained the #1 market.
- April:Volume rebounded strongly to 7 MT (+10.59% YoY), though value dipped slightly to $2.523 million (-0.72% YoY). Germany emerged as a star performer, witnessing meteoric growth near 400% (15.7 MT, +390.38%; $0.362 million, +367.64%). Exports to Japan grew in volume (+51.90%) but dipped slightly in value (-1.49%).
- Bee Pollen (Stable Start, Sharp April Fall):
- Jan-Apr:Modest growth: 0 MT (+3.14% YoY) worth $3.821 million (+3.64% YoY) to 38 countries. South Korea (#1 market) collapsed (-25.79% vol, -30.96% value).
- April:Significant decline: 1 MT (-22.14% YoY) worth $0.598 million (-28.76% YoY). Exports to South Korea plummeted over 93%. Belgium became the top buyer for the month.
- Other Bee Products (Cumulative Growth, April Slump):
- Jan-Apr:Steady growth: 6 MT (+10.17% YoY) worth $2.684 million (+10.23% YoY) to 37 countries. Australia & USA led.
- April:Sharp decrease: 5 MT (-29.41% YoY) worth $0.562 million (-34.42% YoY). The U.S. market stood out, with exports skyrocketing (Volume: +973.33% to 12.1 MT; Value: +448.09% to $0.189 million), making it the top importer for the month.
Key Insights
- Resilience & April Uptick:While the Jan-Apr period saw overall value decline, April’s positive performance across most major categories (especially volume) suggests potential recovery momentum.
- Shifting Market Dynamics:Traditional leader Japan showed weakness (especially in Honey value), while the UK strengthened in Honey. Germany (Royal Jelly) and the USA (Other Bee Products) exhibited extraordinary, breakout growth.
- Category Divergence:Honey volume held steady but value fell; Royal Jelly faced deep cuts but saw a strong volume rebound in April; Bee Pollen was heavily impacted by the South Korean collapse; Other Products showed solid annual growth but high monthly volatility.
- South Korean Disruption:The dramatic decline in Bee Pollen exports to South Korea was the primary drag on that category’s performance both cumulatively and in April, warranting further analysis.
China’s bee product export sector is undergoing structural adjustment. April’s encouraging data provides optimism, but the stark contrasts between categories and markets underscore a landscape of both challenge and opportunity. The explosive growth in Germany and the U.S. for specific products, alongside shifting demand in traditional markets, demands greater market agility and insight from Chinese exporters.
Data Source: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC).
HS Codes Included: 04090000, 04109021, 04109022, 04109023, 04109029, 21069030.
Reporting Period: January 1 – April 30, 2025 (Cumulative) & April 2025 (Monthly).
