Abstract: Honey import of China experienced soaring in terms of scales and value in recent years and trade price is 6 times of that of global average at the same time. The imports characteristics were analyzed by using data of UNcomtrade and China Customs. Based on market survey data of National Bee Industry Economic Research, the price characteristics were summarized, the honeys produced in different countries were compared, and the causes and effects were discussed. The results showed that imported honey accounted for 0.85% of China's honey consumption, which would not hurt domestic bee industry, while the price gap between imported and domestic was widened from 204 Yuan to 1 053.4 Yuan per kg. And it probably created psychological presupposition for consumers and influence on consumer choice and preference as consequence. The paper recommened China should learn marketing experience from New Zealand and other countries. The measurements would be taken to select honey products with significant competitive advantage and quality characteristics, and build quality evaluation index system for single nectar honey based on stable physical and chemical indexes, with the aim to avoid “the market for lemons” and achieve high quality and good price.

Key words: honey imports, bee products, market price, single nectar honey