Honey surges to the top of consumer preferences

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Honey surges to the top of consumer preferences

6 Aug 2025

Lily Cota

Lily Cota is a writer, editor and photographer from Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in English and a minor in Photography. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading fantasy novels, thrifting, trying out local coffee shops and spending time with her nieces.

ERIE, CO — Honey is on the rise in the US.

According to the USDA Economic Research Service’s Sugar and Sweeteners Yearbook Tables, US consumption of honey and products made with honey in 2024 reached an all-time high of 688.6 million pounds.

“The results of this study are a testament to American consumers’ increased awareness of honey’s benefits,” said Margaret Lombard, CEO of the National Honey Board. “Steadily, over time, honey has become the preferred sweetener for many because it’s an all-natural, minimally processed sweetener.”

Outlined in the USDA’s article, “Sugar and Sweeteners Yearbook Tables – Visualization: Meeting honey demand in the United States,” the latest figures show an increased demand for honey over a 30-year period. This is due in part to the ingredient’s classification as a “superfood,” containing benefits for overall health and well-being, as well as its distinct flavor.

Consumers are shifting toward clean labels and away from added sugar attributes, which positions honey to serve as an all-natural alternative.

The USDA’s findings align with the National Honey Board’s US Honey Consumer Attitudes & Usage study, which found that honey is the most used sweetener across lunch, dinner and snack times.

“When you choose honey, you are not only supporting a beekeeper but the entire honey bee population that protects and pollinates our food ecosystem,” Lombard said.

For more information, read the full report here.