Turkey Continues Race for Supremacy in Global Honey Production
· AA Tarım & Ekonomi
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that Turkey ranks second in global honey production with approximately 9 million beehives, and the yield is expected to reach 100,000 tons.
Turkey Ranks Second in Global Honey Production
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made evaluations regarding the current state of the beekeeping sector and its global competitive power at a symbolic honey harvest program held in İnceyol village, Sivas. Minister Yumaklı stated that Turkey stands out with its rich flora and suitable geographical conditions for beekeeping activities, drawing attention to the efforts of sector stakeholders.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made the following statement on the matter:
We are second in the world in honey production, and we continue to strive for the first place. Our beekeeping brothers have put in a great deal of effort and hard work in this regard. We have approximately 9 million beehives in Turkey. God willing, our honey production will be between 97,000 tons and 100,000 tons.
According to information shared by the Ministry, Turkey alone accounts for approximately 90% of the world's pine honey production.
Beekeeping Map and New Regulations
Minister Yumaklı emphasized the importance of conducting production in the sector in line with scientific data and planned strategies, stressing that high yields cannot be achieved by simply leaving beehives in nature. Yumaklı provided information about the published Beekeeping Map and new regulations concerning bee products.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı outlined the scope of the regulations with the following words:
Our Ministry has conducted a study specifically on areas highly suitable for beekeeping and published a map related to it. Therefore, it is possible for our beekeeping brothers to carry out all their production-related activities by referring to this map along with their own experiences. Recently, there were no regulations regarding bee venom, although it has become known in our country. We have also published the regulation for this. This will be a very important product and a source of income for our country. There are 41 types of geographically indicated honey in Turkey. Every corner of this beautiful country of ours is actually very suitable for beekeeping with its unique flora, natural beauties, and biological diversity. Zara honey is one of them. Sivas produces a large portion of Turkey's honey production and ranks fourth in this regard. That is, Sivas, and particularly Zara honey, ranks fourth in Turkey in terms of the amount of honey produced.
Increase in Beehive Stock and Yield
Yumaklı evaluated the sector's development graph over the last quarter-century with official data, highlighting the proportional increase between the number of beehives and the yield.
Minister Yumaklı expressed the increase rates as follows:
The beehive stock has increased by 85% in the last 24 years, and honey production has increased by 78%. This means that honey production is proportional to the number of beehives.
Minister Yumaklı noted that beekeeping technologies have developed and honey harvesting has become a field requiring expertise, stating that R&D and field projects are ongoing to strengthen the production infrastructure.
Sivas's Strong Role in Honey Production
Minister Yumaklı emphasized that Sivas is a strategic center for beekeeping thanks to its rich plant diversity, and stated that the city holds an important position in the honey production league. At the event, where Zara honey stood out with its registered status; TBMM Administrative Officer Hasan Turan, AK Party TBMM Group Chairman Abdullah Güler, Sivas Governor Yılmaz Şimşek, AK Party Sivas Deputies Hakan Aksu and Rukiye Toy, and many producers were present.
Critical Forest Fire Warning to Beekeepers
Reminding that a period has been entered where hot weather and drought conditions increase the risk of fires, Minister Yumaklı requested that producers performing hive maintenance and honey harvesting in the field adhere to precautions.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made the following call to producers:
I especially request all my beekeeping brothers to strictly adhere to the warnings of the relevant units of our ministry in the places they visit, and to avoid anything that could cause ignition, especially the fires they light for fumigation, even if they are far from forest areas, during periods and hours when the wind and temperature are very high and humidity is very low. I wish all beekeepers in our country ease and abundant honey harvests.
After the harvest program, Minister Yumaklı also met with Kangal sheep breeders in the region and listened to their demands.