Although China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of honey, it actively imports this natural product from abroad. Imported honey is sold mainly in the premium segment at attractive prices with strong added value.

It should be noted that in Chinese consumption culture, honey is perceived as a beneficial product for maintaining health, which fits particularly well with the modern trend toward healthy eating.
People in China consume honey both as a standalone product and in beverages, and also mix it with other foods. There are also certain taste preferences: some consumers prefer honey with a pronounced flavor and a smooth consistency. Most Chinese consumers prefer liquid honey to crystallized honey.

It is worth emphasizing that Chinese buyers are concerned about counterfeit honey on the market, so when choosing a product, they examine indicators of the honey’s naturalness: its origin, quality certificates, and the producer’s history.

Importers should take this into account when developing their marketing strategy and product packaging. It is important to create a strong value proposition around imported products: a unique place of origin, a specific nectar source, and environmental friendliness. Proof of safety and naturalness, attractive packaging such as stick packs, and a strong brand can also help increase Chinese consumer confidence.

Who Supplies Honey to China?

New Zealand is the largest supplier of honey to China. In 2024, 1.3 tonnes were imported from New Zealand into China for a total value of USD 35.2 million. The price per kilogram was USD 25.7. This is mainly Manuka honey, produced by bees from the tree of the same name. It is valued for its antibacterial properties. Kamahi, honeydew, clover, and acacia honey are also supplied.

Another major supplier of honey to the Chinese market is Russia. Compared with New Zealand, the price per kilogram is several times lower — USD 1.88. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the country exported approximately 532.9 tonnes with a total value of USD 999.9 thousand. The average volume per transaction was 5.7 tonnes, while the average transaction value was USD 10.8 thousand.

Russian honey is mainly exported in plastic or PET containers. The product is also transported in glass containers, jars, containers, and buckets. The predominant package sizes are 500 grams and 1 kg. Packaging in 250 grams, 300 grams, 400 grams, 700–800 grams, 1.25 kg, and 1.5 kg is also available.

In terms of product assortment, these are floral, linden, and other types of natural honey.

Interestingly, the smaller the package size, the higher the price at which the product was sold. For example, honey in 0.5 kg packages was sold at USD 6.89 per kg instead of USD 1.88.

Which countries does Russia export honey to? In total, Russia exports honey to 50 countries. In addition to China, the product was shipped to:

  • Uzbekistan (541.7 tonnes, USD 549 thousand),
  • Serbia (481 tonnes, USD 628 thousand),
  • Italy (344 tonnes, USD 430 thousand),
  • Lithuania (284 tonnes, USD 349 thousand),
  • Suriname (81 tonnes, USD 115 thousand),
  • Poland (77 tonnes, USD 173 thousand),
  • Mongolia (64 tonnes, USD 114 thousand),
  • the United States (42 tonnes, USD 144 thousand),
  • Morocco (24 tonnes, USD 19 thousand),
  • Germany (19 tonnes, USD 32 thousand),
  • the UAE (7 tonnes, USD 32 thousand), and other countries.

At the same time, neighboring Kazakhstan exports honey to China at an average price of USD 5.03 per kg. From June 2025 to June 2026, 31 tonnes of products worth USD 159 thousand were supplied.

The product is mainly packaged in 0.5 kg glass containers. There are also 0.35 kg and 1 kg jars. Notably, some suppliers ship products in wooden barrels, which indicates the supply of raw materials for industrial processing.

The product range mainly includes wild honey, field honey, mountain honey, forest honey, Altai mountain honey, and other varieties.

The analysis shows that Kazakh honey has a stronger presence in the premium segment than Russian honey. Kazakhstan’s exports amount to only 6% of Russia’s, while the average price is four times higher.

Which countries does Kazakhstan export honey to? Kazakhstan exports honey to 9 countries. In addition to China, these are:

  • Uzbekistan (1.4 thousand tonnes, USD 1.1 million),
  • the United States (37 tonnes, USD 157 thousand),
  • the UAE (8.5 tonnes, USD 19.7 thousand),
  • France (1 tonne, USD 12 thousand),
  • Qatar (1 tonne, USD 11 thousand),
  • Oman (700 kg, USD 27.4 thousand),
  • Japan (386 kg, USD 6.7 thousand).

Overall, for the Chinese honey market, supplies from Russia and Kazakhstan represent an attractive opportunity. Importers can take advantage of government support measures through local honey suppliers, save on logistics, and offer competitive prices to the market.

What Support Measures Are Available to Exporters in Russia?
The broad geographical reach of Russia’s exports continues to expand every year thanks to government support measures. In 2026, the Russian Export Center, together with the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Center “Agroexport,” provides companies with comprehensive support when entering the Chinese market. Russian producers can receive advice on registering companies in the GACC system, preparing documentation packages for Chinese regulatory authorities, adapting packaging and labeling to the requirements of Chinese legislation, as well as confirming product compliance with Chinese sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.

One of the most popular promotional tools remains the national brand “Made in Russia.” After completing voluntary certification, a producer obtains the right to use the corresponding quality mark and participate in special marketing programs of the Russian Export Center, joint exhibitions at international trade fairs, business missions, and promotional campaigns on foreign e-commerce platforms. For Chinese buyers, the “Made in Russia” brand provides an additional factor of trust, particularly in the food segment.

In recent years, particular attention has been paid to the development of e-commerce. Russian companies receive support in listing their products on major Chinese marketplaces and B2B platforms and participate in online business missions and negotiations with importers organized by the Russian Export Center and Russian trade missions in China. This format makes it possible to significantly reduce the costs incurred by Chinese importers, retail chains, and distributors when searching for suppliers, sample products from Russian manufacturers directly in China, and negotiate the first shipment without involving a large number of intermediaries.

Among the advantages are:

  • reimbursement of transportation costs, ranging from 25% to 100%;
  • preferential lending. Short-term financing of up to 1 year is available for replenishing working capital, while investment loans for 2–15 years are available for capital expenditures and modernization. In some cases, loan rates range from 0.5 of the Central Bank’s key rate + 2%;
  • export contract insurance;
  • assistance with certification in China.

What Support Measures Are Available to Exporters in Kazakhstan?

It is advantageous for Kazakh exporters to sell to China, as the local government provides the following support measures:
Reimbursement of part of the costs of promoting products abroad, including international certification, trademark registration, laboratory testing, marketing research, advertising and product promotion, development of export catalogs, translation of technical documentation, packaging development, and promotion through e-commerce platforms;

Export financing: pre-export financing, financing of export projects, financing for foreign buyers of Kazakh products, replenishment of working capital for exporting enterprises, and long-term financing of major export contracts.

What Support Measures Are Available to Exporters in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan, which neighbors Kazakhstan, also exports honey to China, although its share of exports is very small. Between July 2025 and June 2026, only 198 kg worth USD 5.6 thousand were shipped to China. The average price per kilogram was USD 28.6, several times higher than the export price of honey from China and Russia.

In total, Uzbekistan supplied products to 9 countries with a combined weight of 3.6 tonnes and a total value of USD 46.6 thousand. Destinations included Malaysia (1.9 tonnes, USD 9.5 thousand), the Republic of the Congo (300 kg, USD 1.2 thousand), Afghanistan (107 kg, USD 1 thousand), England (88 kg, USD 220), and Saudi Arabia (68 kg, USD 20).

The country’s proximity to China can significantly shorten product delivery times and reduce logistics costs, while government support measures can help secure a better price.

In Uzbekistan, the government supports exporters through a range of measures. The main focus is on reducing exporters’ costs, developing non-resource exports, promoting national producers in foreign markets, and digitalizing export activities. Support is provided through the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT), the Trade Development Company, the Export Headquarters, as well as sector-specific funds.

Support measures include:

  • Reimbursement of up to 50% of transportation costs incurred by exporters of fruit and vegetable products, textiles, finished food products, and high-value-added products;
  • Preferential pre-export financing with a six-month grace period, allowing exporters to repay the loan after completing the shipment;
  • Reimbursement of costs for international certification, laboratory testing, consulting services, and preparation of technical documentation;
  • Financing participation in international exhibitions;
  • Support for promoting products abroad. Chinese importers can reduce advertising, product promotion, and catalog development costs through suppliers;
  • Uzbek exporters can receive reimbursement when opening a representative office in China. Expenses for renting offices, retail premises and warehouses, as well as organizing a trading house, are reimbursed;
  • The Government of Uzbekistan also finances trademark registration, international intellectual property protection, and brand registration abroad.

Thus, it is advantageous for Chinese honey buyers to import natural eco-friendly products from Russia and CIS countries.*
In turn, the G2R platform will help entrepreneurs find buyers and partners in China, as well as assist with receiving payments, logistics, and customs clearance. To order a search for buyers in China, users need to select the relevant product category card on the platform.

After submitting an application, a personal manager will contact you and provide guidance on all relevant matters.

*This does not constitute an investment strategy.