Honey Market Data, Quality Standards and Trade

Editorial evidence reviewedReviewed 2026-09-11Release 2026-09-19-batch-230

Market value

$6B

Producing countries tracked

11

Grading systems

2

Active supply risks

5

Trade corridors

5

Latest reviewed evidence

The figures below are current requirements from the FAO/WHO Codex Standard for Honey, CXS 12-1981, amended in 2022. The standard defines identity, composition, quality, presentation and labeling boundaries; its annex contains voluntary commercial-partner factors. It does not establish current lot availability, a physical offer or a live delivered honey price.

General honey moisture maximum

20

percent by mass · CXS 12-1981, amended 2022

Heather honey moisture maximum

23

percent by mass · CXS 12-1981, amended 2022

General honey fructose-plus-glucose minimum

60

grams per 100 grams · CXS 12-1981, amended 2022

Honeydew honey and honeydew-blossom blend fructose-plus-glucose minimum

45

grams per 100 grams · CXS 12-1981, amended 2022

General honey sucrose maximum

5

grams per 100 grams · CXS 12-1981, amended 2022

Water-insoluble solids maximum excluding pressed honey

0.1

grams per 100 grams · CXS 12-1981, amended 2022

Blossom, honeydew, removal method and presentation remain explicit

CXS 12-1981 defines blossom or nectar honey separately from honeydew honey. It also distinguishes extracted, pressed and drained removal methods and liquid or crystalline honey, comb honey, cut-comb or chunk honey and filtered honey presentations. A floral or plant-source designation requires corresponding organoleptic, physicochemical and microscopic properties, while a geographical designation requires exclusive production in that area. Atlas keeps biological source, geography, method and presentation attached before comparing quality, price or trade evidence.

Composition limits depend on the honey category

The current Codex standard caps moisture at 20 percent for honey generally and 23 percent for heather honey. Fructose plus glucose must be at least 60 grams per 100 grams for honey generally and at least 45 for honeydew honey and honeydew-blossom blends. General sucrose is capped at 5 grams per 100 grams, with named botanical exceptions at 10 or 15. Water-insoluble solids are capped at 0.1 grams per 100 grams except pressed honey, which is capped at 0.5. Atlas retains the declared category, sample, method, unit and evidence date with every result.

Authenticity, processing and voluntary annex factors are different claims

Honey sold as such may not contain another food ingredient or addition, must not have begun to ferment or effervesce, and must not be heated or processed enough to impair its essential composition or quality. The standard lists sugar-profile and stable-carbon-isotope methods under authenticity. Its annex separately describes voluntary commercial-partner factors including acidity, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural and electrical conductivity. Atlas labels the governing or voluntary status of each factor and does not convert one laboratory result into a broad authenticity conclusion.

A composition standard is not a delivered physical price

Codex identity and composition requirements do not establish current availability or price. A delivered honey price still requires the declared source and geography, harvest, removal and filtration method, presentation, sensory and composition results, authenticity and residue evidence, lot quantity, package, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window, freight and information vintage. Atlas keeps any physical-price output unsupported when those fields or permitted current observations are missing.

Questions procurement teams ask

Are blossom honey and honeydew honey interchangeable?

No. Codex defines different biological origins and applies different minimum fructose-plus-glucose requirements to general honey and honeydew honey or honeydew-blossom blends.

What is the general Codex moisture limit for honey?

CXS 12-1981 sets a 20 percent maximum for honey generally and a 23 percent maximum for heather honey. The declared honey category, sample and method remain attached to the result.

Does a low hydroxymethylfurfural result prove honey authenticity?

No. Hydroxymethylfurfural is one voluntary annex factor related to processing or storage context. Authenticity requires the applicable identity, composition, source and analytical evidence; one value is not a complete conclusion.

Which fields make physical honey offers comparable?

Biological type, declared floral or plant source and supporting evidence, production country and region, harvest, removal and filtration method, presentation, colour, flavour and aroma, moisture and sugar results, insoluble solids, fermentation and pollen handling, authenticity, residue and contaminant evidence, lot, package, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window and evidence date.