Honey by country
South Africa
Honey, beehives and beeswax in South Africa as reported to FAO, with the whole series since 1961 and the status of every figure.
natural honey, 2024
imputed value
beehives, 2024
imputed value
Natural honey, thousand tonnes
Beehives, million
What the figures say
In 2024, South Africa produced 1,084 tonnes of natural honey (imputed value).
Statistical estimate[1]That places it 78 of 121 countries with a FAOSTAT figure for 2024, about 0.1% of world production.
Statistical estimate[1]Compared with 2000 (1,075 t), production rose by 1%.
Statistical estimate[1]The highest figure in the series is 1,140 t in 2009, the lowest 125 t in 1974.
Confirmed fact[1]FAO counts 72,470 beehives in 2024 (imputed value). That is 66 of 98 countries.
Statistical estimate[1]Dividing the two figures gives about 15.0 kg of honey per hive. This is a ratio of two FAOSTAT numbers, not a measured yield: hives are counted at one moment, honey over a year.
Statistical estimate[1]
Bees from our catalogue recorded in South Africa
GBIF occurrence records with coordinates. They show where a bee was found, not its full range.
- Apis mellifera17,900 GBIF records
Sources
- FAO (2026). FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products (QCL). Items Bees (1181), Natural honey (1182), Beeswax (1183), area South Africa. Bulk download, retrieved 29 October 2026. Link
Last checked: 30 October 2026.