Greece’s honey industry recorded encouraging export growth in 2025, with international sales reaching US$31.6 million. However, behind these positive figures, local beekeepers continue to face rising production expenses, unpredictable weather conditions and increasing competition from imported honey.
Alongside efforts to expand its international market presence, Greece is introducing new measures to protect the authenticity of its honey, improve product traceability and ensure that beekeepers receive a fairer share of the industry’s economic value.
Data from the United Nations Comtrade database, published through the World Bank, shows that Greece exported 6,936 tonnes of natural honey in 2025, generating US$31.6 million. This compares with 6,274 tonnes worth US$28.6 million in 2024.
The figures represent an increase of approximately 10.5% in both export volume and value.
Germany, Italy, the United States, Bulgaria and Canada were among the leading destinations for Greek honey, highlighting its continued demand in international markets.
According to Spyros Protopsaltis, Secretary General for Rural Development and Food, Greek honey has distinctive quality characteristics that could help it secure an even stronger position internationally. He stressed that protecting its origin and authenticity is essential to maintaining consumer confidence and ensuring fair competition.
Greek Beekeeping Remains Important to the Rural Economy
Beekeeping has long been an important part of Greece’s agricultural heritage, supporting rural communities and contributing to the country’s agricultural production.
European Commission figures released in January 2026 indicate that Greece had approximately 20,000 beekeepers and 2.2 million beehives in 2024. The country’s annual honey production was estimated at around 15,000 tonnes.
However, the contribution of beekeeping extends beyond the production of honey. Bees play an essential role in pollinating crops, supporting biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
This makes the protection of Greece’s beekeeping sector important not only for food production but also for the wider agricultural environment.
Despite the industry’s potential, Greek producers face several difficulties, including higher operating costs, changing climatic conditions and competition from imported honey products.
Maintaining consumer trust and distinguishing genuine Greek honey from products with misleading origin claims are therefore becoming increasingly important.
Greece Introduces Digital System to Protect Honey Authenticity
One of the latest initiatives aimed at improving transparency is the introduction of the digital Honey and Beekeeping Products Balance System, commonly known as e-honey.
Established under Law 5336/2026, the system is designed to improve the monitoring of honey production, imports, sales and distribution throughout the supply chain.
The initiative is intended to provide authorities with a clearer picture of the quantities of honey entering and circulating within the Greek market.
The system will also connect with the National Electronic Beekeeping Register and other government databases. Information from electronic invoices and digital records managed through Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) will help strengthen the monitoring process.
Spyros Protopsaltis described the initiative as an important step towards establishing a modern system for monitoring the honey market.
He also emphasised that the economic value of Greek honey should benefit the people who produce it, while consumers should have greater confidence in knowing where their honey comes from.
By improving traceability and monitoring, the authorities hope to reduce misleading practices, strengthen market controls and protect genuine Greek honey producers.
New EU Labelling Requirements Improve Consumer Transparency
Greece’s efforts to protect its honey industry are also supported by new European Union requirements concerning honey-origin labelling, which came into effect on 14 June 2026.
Under the updated rules, honey blends must provide information about the countries where the honey originates, including the corresponding percentages from each country.
This gives consumers more detailed information about the contents and origin of the products they purchase.
The changes are particularly relevant in a market where honey from different countries can be blended, packaged and sold under various commercial labels.
Greater transparency should make it easier for consumers to distinguish between locally produced Greek honey and imported products.
Combined with the e-honey system and stronger market inspections, the new requirements are expected to support fairer competition and improve confidence in honey sold across Greece.
Greek Honey Businesses Look Beyond Domestic Markets
The importance of protecting Greek honey and expanding its commercial opportunities was also highlighted during a visit by Protopsaltis to Attiki Beekeeping Company – Alexandros Pittas in Kryoneri, Attica.
Established in 1928, the family-owned company has developed a long-standing relationship with Greece’s beekeeping community and works with approximately 2,000 local beekeepers.
During the visit, company representatives presented their operations, including honey sourcing, quality testing, standardisation and packaging. The business reportedly handles more than 2,000 tonnes of honey annually.
Discussions also covered industry challenges, product authenticity, quality-control procedures and opportunities to strengthen the international presence of Greek honey.
The company’s relationship with local beekeepers demonstrates the importance of cooperation between producers, processors and packaging businesses in developing a stronger honey industry.
Such partnerships can help improve product quality, maintain reliable supply chains and create opportunities for Greek honey to reach more international consumers.
Can Export Growth Deliver Better Returns for Greek Beekeepers?
The increase in Greek honey exports is a positive development for the country’s agricultural and food sectors. However, expanding international sales is only part of the challenge facing the industry.
For growth to have a lasting impact, Greek beekeepers must also benefit from the increasing value and demand for their products.
Rising production costs, climate-related difficulties and competition from imported honey continue to put pressure on local producers. Without effective protection and fair market conditions, increased export activity may not necessarily translate into better earnings for the people responsible for producing the honey.
The introduction of digital traceability, stricter origin-labelling requirements and improved market inspections could help address some of these concerns.
Greece’s ability to protect the reputation of its honey while supporting its beekeepers will be essential to the industry’s long-term development.
With exports reaching US$31.6 million in 2025, Greek honey has demonstrated its potential in international markets. The next challenge is ensuring that this growing demand strengthens the livelihoods of local producers and preserves the quality and authenticity that make Greek honey distinctive.
Source: neoskosmos Edited by Bernie
