Honey output rises from 80,530 MT in 2014-15 to 1,51,690 MT in 2025-26 as government strengthens scientific beekeeping and value-added honey supply chains

Key Highlights

• National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) is being implemented through the National Bee Board (NBB).
• Honey production increased from 80,530 MT in 2014–15 to 1,51,690 MT in 2025–26.
• 7 world-class honey testing laboratories and 66 mini labs for adulteration testing have been established.
• 83 honey processing units and 90 collection, branding and packaging units have been supported.
• 81 Quality Nucleus Stock Development Centres have been supported to produce quality queen bees and multiply colonies.
• Mission supports scientific beekeeping, value addition, branding, R&D, women’s participation and agricultural productivity.

India is expanding its beekeeping and honey value chain, with honey production nearly doubling over the past decade as the government strengthens scientific beekeeping, testing, processing, packaging and market infrastructure.

The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the National Bee Board (NBB).

According to the government, honey production increased from 80,530 metric tonnes in 2014–15 to 1,51,690 metric tonnes in 2025–26, based on the second advance estimates of Horticulture Crops Statistics.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Focus shifts to scientific beekeeping

The NBHM aims to promote scientific beekeeping while developing honey and other beehive products as a larger agricultural and rural enterprise.

Its objectives include:

• increasing honey and beehive-product production;
• generating income and employment;
• supporting farm and non-farm livelihoods;
• encouraging women’s participation in beekeeping;
• developing collective institutions for beekeepers;
• improving agricultural and horticultural productivity; and
• strengthening honey marketing and value addition.

The scheme provides project-based assistance to eligible implementing agencies for activities ranging from infrastructure development to capacity building and technology demonstrations.

Testing and processing infrastructure expands

The government has supported the development of a wider honey-processing and quality-control ecosystem.

So far, the programme has supported:

The testing infrastructure is particularly relevant as quality, adulteration and traceability remain important considerations in the honey market.

Processing, collection and packaging facilities can also help producers move beyond bulk sales towards branded and value-added honey products.

Better bee genetics and colony development

The mission has also supported 81 Quality Nucleus Stock Development Centres for producing quality queen bees and facilitating colony multiplication.

Improving the availability of quality bee colonies is an important component of scientific beekeeping because productive and healthy colonies can support both honey production and pollination.

Honey production rises sharply

India’s honey production has increased significantly since 2014–15.

According to the government:

2014–15: 80,530 MT
2025–26: 1,51,690 MT

The increase reflects the expansion of beekeeping and supporting infrastructure, although production levels can also be influenced by weather, crop patterns, bee health and market conditions.

The NBHM complements efforts by State Governments, implementing agencies and stakeholder organisations to promote scientific beekeeping and improve agricultural productivity.

Beyond honey: supporting agriculture through pollination

The significance of beekeeping extends beyond the honey produced.

Bees play an important role in pollination, which can contribute to the productivity of several agricultural and horticultural crops.

This gives the beekeeping sector a dual role: producing honey and other hive products while supporting crop production through pollination.

The government’s programme therefore links beekeeping with the wider development of agriculture and horticulture.

What it means for hotels, restaurants and food businesses

The expansion of the honey ecosystem has direct relevance to the hospitality and foodservice industry.

Honey is used across hotels, restaurants, cafés, bakeries and beverage businesses, including:

• breakfast spreads and buffets;
• desserts and bakery products;
• beverages and cocktails;
• wellness and health-oriented menus;
• sauces, marinades and dressings; and
• regional and artisanal food products.

The growth of domestic production and processing infrastructure could create greater opportunities for food businesses to source Indian honey by region, floral origin or producer group.

For hotels and restaurants, this also supports the growing interest in traceable, locally sourced and artisanal ingredients.

Potential boost for premium and regional honey

Expansion of testing, branding and packaging infrastructure could help India’s honey sector move further towards differentiated products rather than competing only on volume.

Regional and floral varieties can potentially be positioned as premium food products, creating opportunities for hotels, specialty retailers and food brands.

This could also connect honey with India’s broader farm-to-table and culinary tourism movement, particularly in regions where beekeeping is associated with distinctive landscapes and agricultural ecosystems.

Tourism and rural livelihood opportunities

Beekeeping can provide an additional source of income for rural households without requiring large landholdings.

The NBHM’s focus on livelihood generation and women’s participation therefore has potential relevance to rural tourism and agri-tourism.

Beekeeping demonstrations, honey harvesting experiences and visits to apiaries could eventually become part of experiential tourism offerings in suitable destinations.

Building a stronger honey-to-hospitality chain

The growth of India’s honey production, combined with expanding testing, processing, branding and collection infrastructure, is gradually creating a more organised honey value chain.

For the hospitality industry, the opportunity extends beyond simply using honey as an ingredient. A stronger domestic ecosystem could support regional sourcing, premium honey experiences, local food storytelling and farm-linked tourism, while providing additional income opportunities for beekeepers and rural communities.