Summary

In 2020, the global beekeeping market witnessed a significant growth trend, with the honey market valued at $9.01 billion, forecasted to reach $13.62 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. Despite the overall growth in market value, honey production saw a decrease from 2017-2021, with production stabilizing in the latter two years after a 5.8% decline from 1,882 thousand tons to 1,772 thousand tons. Italy, a prominent player within the industry, showed fluctuating honey production levels between 2018-2022, experiencing one of its worst production years in 2021 with 12,450 tons. However, Italy topped its five-year record with 23,000 tons of honey production in 2022. The country's reliance on imports to meet domestic demand remained high, with a self-supply rate between 45%-53% from 2018 to 2022. The sector also faced challenges amidst the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which caused honey consumer prices to rise by 17.2% from January 2022 to October 2023, reflecting a broader increase in agricultural production costs by 20.7% from January 2022 to March 2023.

Analysis of Market Demand and Trends in Italian Beekeeping

In the thriving beekeeping industry of Italy, both historical traditions and innovation play a significant role. An interesting observation over the period from 2018 to 2022 shows that although the production of honey in the country has remained relatively steady, it experienced notable fluctuations annually. Despite the challenges in production volumes, the market value has demonstrated resilience. By 2022, the sales value of honey escalated to roughly between EUR 285 and 290 million. An essential trend to note is the variation in honey purchases over the years. There was a slight decrease of nearly 4 percent from a volume of around 16,000 tons to nearly 15,500 tons within the assessed period. Interestingly, the average annual spending of households displayed an upward trend, increasing to just over EUR 40 by 2022, which could be indicative of heightened prices, especially following the Russia-Ukraine conflict which led to significant rises in consumer prices. Moreover, Italy's infatuation with honey remains regionally balanced, with the northwest enjoying the largest share of national expenditure, but other areas, such as the south and the northeast, have fairly comparable spending profiles.

The Italian market for bee products extends beyond honey to include propolis, royal jelly, beeswax, and pollen. The demand for these products is influenced by factors like lower calorie content compared to sugar, rich presence of nutrients like vitamins and minerals, and beneficial properties like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and higher digestibility rates. The import-export situation indicates that Italy remains a net importer to satisfy its domestic need for honey. Approximately 50 percent of its demand is met through imports, with subtle fluctuations seen in both imports and exports over the mentioned period. The primary suppliers are neighboring European countries with Hungary leading the charge, followed by Romania and Spain. As the industry looks forward, the Italian beekeeping market, as a segment of the global beekeeping market expected to reach a total value of around USD 11.87 billion by 2026, continues to exhibit a mix of traditional beekeeping practices and modern market dynamics. The country's apiculture is a tale of sustainably managed growth within the constraints of climate and the global geopolitical landscape.

Prominent Pioneers and Custodians of Italian Beekeeping

The Italian beekeeping market boasts a rich heritage of esteemed companies, each with a unique story and an unwavering commitment to quality and tradition. These entities not only contribute to the economy but also play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and preserving the art of beekeeping. Among these venerated institutions, the following are recognized as leaders in their domain.

  • Ambrosoli S.p.A. has been a beacon of excellence since 1929. It is praised for its diverse range of honey-infused products, especially its candies that echo the tradition through their natural ingredients. Beyond sweets, the company offers various bee-derived commodities, exemplifying a dedication to natural quality that transcends generations.
  • Apicoltura Piana S.p.A. carries a passion and respect for the craft that dates back to 1903. Their meticulous focus on quality and purity has made their Millefiori honey a signature offering that stands as a testament to their century-old techniques and philosophy.
  • Apicoltura Casentinese S.r.l's journey began in 1982. With a strong emphasis on the genuine and pure aspects of beekeeping, they have carved a niche for themselves. Their approach to maintaining tradition, as seen in their organic compotes and focus on sustainability, has garnered them acclaim within the apiculture circles.
  • Mielizia (Conapi Società Cooperativa Agricola), with origins in 1979, stands as the collaborative effort of a cooperative of beekeepers. Their broad facilities reflect a significant capacity for honey processing and packaging, all while preserving the integrity of honey's natural essence without pasteurization.
  • Apicoltura Vangelisti S.r.l excels in innovation while preserving beekeeping integrity since 1929. Their pioneering technology in honey extraction and dedication to research are paralleled by their rigorous standards, ensuring exceptional quality in every product.
  • Piemonte Miele Società Agricola Cooperativa began with a humble group of 9 beekeepers in 1976. It has since grown into a formidable establishment representing a vast network of honey producers. Their all-encompassing approach to honey production, embracing every step from hive to market, symbolizes their dedication to superior quality.
  • Agri Impol S.r.l specializes in the symbiotic relationship between pollination and honey production. Their focus on quality control before products reach the field embodies their commitment to sustainable and optimized agricultural production. 
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  • Number of pages : 30 pages
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  • Last update : 01/12/2023
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Summary and extracts

1 Synthèse du marché

1.1 Introduction

Beekeeping is the activity concerned with the management of bees and the production of bee products; this practice involves the management of hives, assisting bees in collecting nectar from flowers, maintaining and protecting bee colonies, and collecting and processing bee products. Beekeeping can be carried out either as a professional activity or as a hobby.

The Italian market has the following products related to the activity:

  • Honey: the main product of beekeeping, with different varieties such as acacia honey, chestnut honey, mixed flower honey, etc.
  • Propolis: a resinous substance produced by bees to protect their hives, used for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
  • Pollen: granules collected by bees as a source of protein and nutrients, often used as a dietary supplement.
  • Royal jelly: a substance produced by young bees and used to feed the larvae of queen bees, with nutritional and beneficial properties for humans.
  • Beeswax: used to make candles, cosmetics, skin care products and more.

Beekeeping has ancient origins and dates back to the Egyptians, who used cylindrical hives to control and breed bees. Over the centuries, different peoples have developed different methods of building hives, using materials such as earthenware and hollowed-out logs. Honey has played an important role in different cultures, both as a food and for its healing properties. Aristotle was one of the first to scientifically study bees, while in the Middle Ages beekeeping developed because of the awareness of honey's value as a food source. In the 17th century, with the advent of the microscope, beekeeping made significant progress. In the 19th century, thanks to Langstroth's innovations, modern beekeeping spread throughout the world.(Beekeeper)

In 2022, the global beekeeping market is estimated at $10.3 billion. A compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6 percent is projected between 2022 and 2026, under which the global beekeeping market could reach a total value of $11.87 billion. (Businesswire)

The study will cover the economic and structural aspects of the beekeeping market in Italy; for specific information on honey and other related markets, please refer to the specific studies available in the Businesscoot catalog.

1.2 The global market

In ****, the global beekeeping market is estimated at $**.* billion. A compound annual growth rate (***) of *.* percent is projected between **** and ****, under which the global beekeeping market could reach a total value of $**.** billion. Beekeeping Market World, ****-****, in billions of dollars Businesswire Considering the segment related to honey, in **** the global ...

1.3 The Italian market

Between **** and ****, Italy's honey production is essentially unchanged. However, when analyzing annual variations, it is possible to identify a considerable fluctuation in production volume during the period. Between **** and ****, production falls by **.* percent while the following year this grows by **.* percent. The year **** represents one of the worst years for honey ...

1.4 Import - Export

Honey production in Italy is not sufficient to cover domestic demand. Between **** and ****, Italy's honey self-supply rate fluctuated between **% and **%. This means that, on average, **% of domestic demand is met by import. Honey self-supply rate Italy, ****-****, % Ismeamercati Italy can be defined as a net importer of honey. Between **** and ****, the ...

1.5 The consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict

The outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in February **** resulted in, among other things, a general increase in price indexes. The honey consumption sector is not exempt from this increase. Considering the consumer price index for jams, marmalades and honey, an increase of **.* points can be shown between January **** and October ****. This ...

2 Analyse de la demande

2.1 Demand in Italy

Volume of purchases

Between **** and ****, the total volume of honey purchases appears to have declined. During this period, the sales volume decreased from **,*** tons to **,*** tons (***).

Volume of honey purchases Italy, ****-****, in thousands of tons *excluding direct sales volumes

In contrast to sales volumes, the average annual household smesa appears ...

2.2 Demand drivers

Honey is a natural ingredient used for its sweetness, energy and potential health benefits. The substitution of sugar for honey is motivated by several factors, including:

Calorie content: honey has a lower calorie content than sugar: ***kcal per *** grams versus *** for traditional sugar and *** for cane sugar because it is richer ...

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

In order to analyze the geographic distribution of honey demand in Italy, a map was created showing the share of spending, relative to the national total, on honey in each Italian macro-region.

The demand for honey in Italy appears to be evenly distributed along the peninsula. The Northwest has the highest ...

3 Structure du marché

3.1 The market structure

To analyze the structure of the beekeeping market in Italy, the number of commercial beekeepers, the size of hives in Italy and the geographical distribution of hives in Italy are considered.

Beekeepers

In **** there are **,*** beekeepers in Italy, of which ** percent produce for self-consumption while ** percent produce for commercial purposes. As ...

3.2 The value chain

The stage characterized by the harvesting of honey and other hive products is one of the most important in the value chain. This is divided into additional sub-phases:

Hive monitoring: before harvesting, beekeepers must carefully monitor the hives to determine the best time for harvesting, making sure the honey is ripe. Honey ...

3.3 The main manufacturers

A list of the principal Italian businesses employed in beekeeping is offered below:

Ambrosoli s.p.a: founded in ****, is recognized as a leading company in the production of Honey. Ambrosoli's product range includes various types of candies, such as those with honey, propolis, and various fruit flavors. The company has ...

3.4 The distribution

Large-scale retail trade (***) represents the main sales channel for honey in Italy. Supermarkets are the preferred sales channel for Italians, collecting **% of sales. This is followed by discount stores with ** percent of the total and hypermarkets with ** percent. Finally, the free-service channel accounts for * percent of total sales.

Honey retail sales, ...

4 Analyse de l'offre

4.1 Type of the offer

Beekeeping refers to the keeping of bees by a trained operator in order to safeguard the species, as it is protected, and to be able to use its products.the Apis genus includes ** species, of which only * can be kept by humans: the Apis Mellifera (***) and the Apis Cerana. Each group ...

4.2 The prices

The analysis of prices related to the beekeeping industry are divided between wholesale and retail. Wholesale Between **** and ****, the price of wholesale honey, referring to ***-kg purchases (***) appears to be generally declining. With the sole exception of mixed-flower honey, which shows a *.* percent increase, all major types of honey show price ...

4.3 New supply trends: precision beekeeping

The integration of IoT sensors, cameras and remote monitoring allows beekeepers to collect real-time data on hive conditions and leverage precision beekeeping.this allows beekeepers to closely monitor hive health, temperature, humidity, weight and other crucial parameters. Companies also develop digital beekeeping platforms that analyze trends, patterns and correlations in the ...

5 Règlementation

5.1 The legislation

The beekeeping (***) market, as with many other agricultural markets, is regulated by various laws and regulations at both the national and European levels. These laws are concerned with ensuring the quality, food safety and origin of the product. Some of the main laws and regulations for the beekeeping market in Italy ...

6 Positionnement des acteurs

6.1 Segmentation

  • Mielizia (Conapi Società Cooperativa Agricola)
  • Privitera Società Cooperativa Agricola
  • Apicoltura Vangelisti s.r.l
  • Piemonte Miele Società Agricola Cooperativa
  • Apicoltura Casentinese s.r.l
  • Apicoltura Piana s.p.a
  • Ambrosoli s.p.a

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Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Mielizia (Conapi Società Cooperativa Agricola)
Privitera Società Cooperativa Agricola
Apicoltura Vangelisti s.r.l
Piemonte Miele Società Agricola Cooperativa
Apicoltura Casentinese s.r.l
Apicoltura Piana s.p.a
Ambrosoli s.p.a

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