The situation of the honey market in Italy in 2024 and the crucial role of adhesive labels

With summer just around the corner and the honey harvest ready to get underway, Italian beekeeping faces some significant challenges. As beekeepers begin to reap the fruits of their labor, problems are emerging that threaten the production and quality of Italian honey. In this context, the transparency and accuracy of labels for honey become essential to safeguard and enhance the excellence of honey products.

The difficulties of the honey industry in 2024

In 2024, the honey market in Italy faces significant challenges and changes. An analysis by Coldiretti(Link) revealed that foreign honey imports increased by 23 percent to nearly 4.8 million kilos in the first two months of the year. More than a quarter of this honey comes from non-EU countries, often characterized by low quality and prices. This exerts strong competitive pressure on Italian producers.

In addition to these dynamics, weather difficulties hit Italian beekeeping hard. According to the Honey Observatory, falling temperatures in April, during acacia flowering, brought rain and snow after an unusually warm start to the year. This damaged production in many regions of northern and central Italy, particularly in Lombardy, where some honey varieties suffered a production collapse of up to 90 percent. The Tyrrhenian side and Sardinia were also affected by the climatic effects, while in the south, especially in Sicily, drought compromised the production of citrus and mixed-flower honey.

In this context, it is crucial that consumers verify the origin of the honey they buy, preferring high-quality Italian products.

Changes to honey labeling regulations

Sticker labels are the essential tool for ensuring transparency for the consumer. Italian regulations require that honey harvested entirely on the national territory bear the words “Italian Honey” on the label. If the honey comes from more than one EU country, the label must state “blend of honeys originating in the EU” with the name of the countries of origin. For non-EU honeys, the label must state “blend of honeysnot originating in the EU,” and if it is a mix of EU and non-EU honeys, it must state “blend of honeys originating and not originating in the EU” with the names of the countries.

The European Union’s new Breakfast Directive is a further step toward transparency, introducing a requirement to indicate the country of origin on the label by encouraging a system of product traceability. In the case of blends, the label will also have to state the percentage of each country of origin.

All these regulations were introduced to ensure transparency at the time of purchase. The Italian reality is characterized by small local producers: buying honey directly from these beekeepers means supporting national producers in a time of difficulty and having the guarantee of buying a quality product that respects the territory and biodiversity.

In Italy, honey consumption is about half a kilogram per person per year, below the European average of 600 grams, but much lower than in Germany, where consumption is three times as high. However, Italy boasts an extraordinary biodiversity with more than 60 varieties of honey, including the renowned Miele della Lunigiana, Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi, and Miele Varesino, as well as special barrel or flavored honeys, from lime to citrus, eucalyptus, and acacia.

How etichetta.it can support honey producers

etichetta.it is the ideal partner for Italian honey producers who want to get the perfect label for their products. Here’s how we can help you:

1. Advice on materials and finishes: our experienced consultants can guide you in choosing the material best suited to your needs and the finishes that will enhance the graphics of your labels.
2. Design creation assistance: we will know how best to guide and advise you through all the steps leading to the creation of a print-ready file.
3. Professional graphic design service: we offer a professional graphic design service. We will create attractive and functional labels for you that reflect the quality of your product and attract the attention of potential buyers. Professional design can make all the difference in positioning your product in the market.
4. Free Sample Sending: you can request our free sample book, so you can view and test different materials and choose the one best suited to your needs. Testing materials before final production is essential to ensure the best possible quality.
5. Materials with removable adhesive: among the many materials available, we offer materials with removable adhesive, which facilitate recycling and reuse of cans. This option not only helps the environment, but can also be a marketing advantage for sustainability-conscious consumers.
6. Wide choice of eco-friendly materials: we have a wide range of eco-friendly and low-impact materials, ideal for those with a keen eye for sustainability in their packaging. Eco-friendly materials can enhance your brand image among eco-conscious consumers.

Relying on etichetta.it means guaranteeing your product a professional, transparent and sustainable image, capable of attracting and retaining the consumers who are most attentive to the quality and origin of the honey they buy. With the right labels, honey producers can stand out in the market, communicate the values of their product and protect their valuable work.