In a move aimed at protecting India’s domestic apiculture sector, the government has extended the minimum import price (MIP) on natural honey by nine months, pushing its validity to December 31, 2026.
The MIP remains fixed at USD 1,400 per tonne (FOB) and is intended to curb the inflow of low-cost honey into the country, which has been a concern for local producers facing price pressures.
The decision was formalized through a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which stated that the existing price floor will continue to apply for imports through the end of the year.
“The validity of the existing MIP of USD 1,400 FOB per metric ton on natural honey is extended till December 31, 2026,” the DGFT said.
The extension comes amid ongoing efforts by the government to support beekeepers and maintain fair pricing in the domestic market, where cheaper imports have often undercut local honey.
In a separate notification, the DGFT also introduced an additional condition governing the export of feathers, skins, and other animal parts, signalling tighter regulatory oversight across select commodity segments.
The honey MIP mechanism has been a key policy tool in recent years to stabilise domestic prices and ensure quality standards, particularly as India balances export ambitions with safeguarding its rural livelihoods dependent on beekeeping.