2025 was the most difficult year in decades for beekeeping in Moldova, with production falling by more than half to 2,500 tons
These figures were presented by Veaceslav Ionita, an economic policy expert at IDIS “Viitorul.” According to him, production figures were the lowest in the last 10-15 years. The reason was the severe spring frosts of 2024, which significantly affected honey-bearing flora and led to a reduction in production by almost half. Despite this, the industry managed to partially offset the losses through higher export prices and the sale of stocks from previous years. At the same time, honey exports in 2025 are estimated at $13.8 million, which exceeds the 2024 figure ($10.7 million) but remains below the record level of 2017 ($14.1 million). The main markets for Moldovan honey in the last three years remain Italy (30.5% of honey exports over the last three years), Romania (19.7%), and Slovakia (11.9%), followed by France, Norway, Germany, and other countries. The average export price in 2025 rose from $2.5 to $3.3 per kg in Q1-Q3, but remains below the level of favorable years when the price reached $3.9 per kg. At the same time, the most attractive prices for honey for Moldovan exporters are in the United States at $5.3 per kg and Norway at $4.88 per kg, despite these countries being supplied with 1.6% and 4.3% of Moldovan honey, respectively, while in Romania, where 19.7% of Moldovan honey is exported, the export price is significantly lower - $2.85. According to the expert, in real terms, beekeepers' income in 2025 amounted to only about 40% of the 2010 level, and to achieve a comparable income, it is necessary to sell 2.5 times more honey. Average honey consumption within the country has decreased to 0.4 kg per person, compared to 0.7 kg in 2023. Veaceslav Ionita also noted that, despite declining production, the number of bee colonies continues to grow. In 2025, their number reached approximately 212,000 – 1.7 times more than in 2015. Most bee colonies are located in private households. // 09.01.2026 – InfoMarket
