Greek honey exports are on the rise, with sales to international markets exceeding $31 million in 2025. At the same time, protecting the product’s Greek origin and tackling misleading practices are becoming increasingly important for an industry that employs around 20,000 beekeepers and faces rising production costs, the effects of climate variability and competition from imported products.

According to data from the United Nations’ UN Comtrade database, published through the World Bank, Greece exported 6,936 tonnes of natural honey in 2025, worth a total of $31.6 million, compared with 6,274 tonnes valued at $28.6 million in 2024.

This represents an increase of approximately 10.5% in both export volumes and value. Germany, Italy, the United States, Bulgaria and Canada are among the leading destinations for Greek honey.

“Greek honey has quality characteristics that can secure it an even stronger position in international markets. To realise this potential, however, we must protect its authenticity and origin, creating conditions of transparency and fair competition,” Spyros Protopsaltis, Secretary-General for Agricultural Development and Food, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

Greek beekeeping is an important economic activity in rural areas, with producers operating across many parts of the country. According to European Commission figures published in January 2026, Greece had around 20,000 beekeepers and 2.2 million beehives in 2024, while annual honey production was estimated at 15,000 tonnes.

Beyond honey production, beekeeping is directly linked to crop pollination and biodiversity conservation, making the sector particularly important to the wider agricultural economy.

However, maintaining Greek honey’s position in the market depends on more than production volumes and export performance. The ability to verify its origin and authenticity is essential for consumer confidence and ensuring fair competition among businesses.

e-honey: A shield for producers

The introduction of the digital system known as the “Honey and Beekeeping Products Balance” (e-honey), established under Law 5336/2026, is intended to address these challenges.

“With the establishment of e-honey, we are taking a substantial step in this direction, creating the foundation for a modern tool to monitor the market,” Protopsaltis said. He added that “the value of Greek honey must be recognised and returned to the people who produce it, while consumers must be able to know with greater certainty the origin of the product they choose”.

The new legislative initiative by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food establishes a framework for digitally monitoring the production, imports, trading and distribution of honey and other beekeeping products.

The system will record stocks and quantities distributed, while connecting with the National Electronic Beekeeping Register and public-sector information systems.

It will also use data from electronic invoices and digital transaction records held by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), strengthening the ability to track the quantities entering and circulating in the market.

The e-honey system is intended to improve oversight of the supply chain and curb misleading practices concerning honey’s origin. Its effectiveness will depend on the implementation of the prescribed procedures and the integration of available data.

New European rules

The initiative coincides with the implementation of new European rules on honey-origin labelling, which have been in force since 14 June 2026.

“Effective implementation of the new system, combined with European labelling rules and market inspections, can help strengthen confidence in the honey sold in Greece and create better conditions for the development of a sector with significant production and export potential,” Protopsaltis told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

Among other requirements, the rules stipulate that honey blends must list the countries of origin and the corresponding percentages, giving consumers more information about the products they buy.

Protecting the origin of Greek honey and the sector’s prospects were also central to Protopsaltis’s visit to the facilities of Attiki Beekeeping Company – Alexandros Pittas in Kryoneri, Attica.

The family-owned business, whose history dates back to 1928, works with around 2,000 Greek beekeepers. According to information provided during the visit, it sources, tests, processes and packages more than 2,000 tonnes of honey annually.

Protopsaltis was briefed on the company’s quality-control procedures and discussed market conditions, origin protection and ways to strengthen the sector’s international presence with its management.

The visit highlighted the importance of cooperation between beekeepers and honey-processing and packaging businesses, particularly at a time when Greek beekeeping is seeking to expand its presence in international markets.

With exports increasing, the challenge for the sector is not simply to sell greater quantities abroad, but also to preserve the added value of Greek honey. Protecting its origin, ensuring effective inspections and improving market transparency will be crucial to achieving this.

In the years ahead, the challenge will be to ensure that export growth delivers tangible benefits for Greek beekeepers, who must sustain production amid rising costs, climate uncertainty and intense competition.