National Honey Production Fluctuated in 2016-2020

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) notes that honey production in Indonesia has been highly volatile from 2016 to 2020. In 2016, national honey production reached 362,200 liters. This figure then decreased by 85% to 54,300 liters in 2017.

National honey production then increased by 171.3% to 147,300 liters in 2018. The figure increased significantly again by 238.1% to 498,000 liters the following year.

However, national honey production fell again by 89.7% in 2020, reaching only 51,340 liters throughout the year.

By island, Java was the largest national honey producer in 2020, with production reaching 41,600 liters or 81.06% of the national total.

Sumatra ranked second with honey production reaching 4,010 liters or 7.81% of the national total. Meanwhile, production in Kalimantan and Sulawesi amounted to 3,000 liters and 500 liters respectively.

Honey in Indonesia is produced by both wild and cultivated bees. Approximately 80%-90% of honey comes from wild bees in several regions of Indonesia. Areas known for producing the best honey in the country include Sumbawa Regency, Kapuas Hulu Regency, and the Pelawan Forest on Bangka Island.

Fluctuations in honey production are partly due to difficulties in providing food plants for bees, especially in Java. According to the Indonesian Beekeeping Association (API), the kapok tree, the main food plant for bees, is continuously declining in both quantity and quality.