Türkiye produces 92% of world’s pine honey
Bees inside an opened hive receive a dose of smoke from a beekeeper. Producers use bee smoke devices to calm the bees, reduce the animals' respiration, and control the hive honey production. Batman, Southeastern Anatolia Region, Türkiye, 2023. (Photo via We Animals)
Ziya Sahin, president of the Turkish Beekeepers Central Union, emphasized Friday that Türkiye is responsible for producing 92% of the world’s pine honey.
“We have been exporting pine honey to European Union countries for nearly 40 years,” he stated during the opening of the “Ordu Beekeeping and Bee Products Fair,” held at Yeni Ordu Stadium, Altinordu. The event was organized by the Ordu Beekeepers Union.
Türkiye: Second in the world for honey production
At the fair, Sahin highlighted that Turkish beekeeping ranks second globally, both in terms of honey production and the number of bees. He underlined the importance of fairs in promoting the growth of the beekeeping industry and assured that the union would continue to support such events.
“Türkiye stands out as the world’s only producer of pine honey,” Sahin remarked. “Around 15,000 to 20,000 tons of pine honey are exported annually to various countries. We have been consistently exporting to European Union nations for approximately 40 years.”
Wax honey export grows
Discussing the export of wax honey, Sahin noted, “We export wax honey to Balkan and Arab countries, with our exports reaching up to 6,000-7,000 tons in recent years. Türkiye is a paradise for honey. We are not an importer; we are exporters.”
To further boost honey exports, Sahin stressed the need for more support to beekeepers, enabling them to produce larger quantities of export-quality honey.
Call for consumers to purchase reliable honey
Sahin advised consumers to buy honey from trusted sources, adding, “We fully support the branded and labeled honey produced by our unions. Currently, 34 of our unions produce and sell honey. Consumers can find reliable honey at these points. We are disheartened when we see honey sold for as low as 50-100 liras. This is not real honey because the cost of producing one kilogram of honey is 261 liras.”
The event was attended by the Mayor of Ordu Metropolitan Municipality, Mehmet Hilmi Guler, along with other guests who engaged with industry representatives. The fair, which features booths from 28 companies across different provinces, will conclude on Sunday, October 27.
Türkiye remains a dominant force in the global honey industry, especially with its unrivaled production of pine honey. By continuing to support beekeepers and ensuring the quality of its products, the country solidifies its position as a leading exporter, making its mark across various international markets.
