Türkiye Aims to Become the World’s Leading Honey Producer

Türkiye Aims to Become the World’s Leading Honey Producer

Türkiye is aiming to become the world’s leading honey producer, with the country expecting to harvest between 97,000 and 100,000 tons of honey in 2026.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı announced the expected production figure on September 4 during a visit to Sivas, where he took part in a local honey harvest in İnceyol village.

Türkiye is already one of the world’s largest honey producers and is now seeking to move from second place to the top of the global ranking.

“We rank second in the world in honey production and continue to push for first place,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı said.

Türkiye Has Around 9 Million Beehives

The scale of Türkiye’s beekeeping sector is supported by around 9 million beehives across the country.

Türkiye’s diverse climate and geography allow beekeepers to produce different types of honey in many regions, from the Mediterranean coast to the Black Sea and inland Anatolia.

The country also has a particularly strong position in pine honey production. According to Minister Yumaklı, Türkiye accounts for approximately 90 percent of the world’s pine honey production.

Türkiye’s beekeeping industry combines large-scale production with a wide variety of regional honey products.

41 Honey Varieties Have Geographical Indication Status

Türkiye’s honey industry is also notable for the variety of products associated with specific regions.

The country currently has 41 honey varieties with geographical indication status, according to the Agriculture and Forestry Minister. One example is Zara honey from Sivas, which is recognised as a regional product.

Geographical indication status helps identify products that have a specific connection to their place of origin and can support the preservation of traditional production methods and local agricultural heritage.

Sivas Ranks Fourth in Honey Production

Sivas has an important role in Türkiye’s beekeeping sector. Minister Yumaklı said the province ranks fourth among Türkiye’s honey-producing provinces.

The region’s agricultural landscape provides suitable conditions for beekeeping, while local varieties such as Zara honey contribute to Sivas’s reputation as a honey-producing area.

Honey production also provides an additional source of income for rural communities and supports agricultural activity beyond traditional crop and livestock production.

New Tools to Support Beekeepers

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has also introduced tools designed to help beekeepers plan their activities more efficiently.

One of these initiatives is a map identifying areas suitable for beekeeping. The map is intended to help producers determine appropriate locations and plan their beekeeping operations according to local conditions.

The ministry has also introduced regulations covering the collection of bee venom, which could create an additional income opportunity for producers.

Bee venom has applications in pharmaceutical, medical and research fields, making it a potentially valuable by-product of the beekeeping industry.

Fire Safety Remains a Priority

With Türkiye experiencing periods of hot and dry weather, the authorities are also warning beekeepers about the risk of fires.

Minister Yumaklı urged beekeepers to follow official fire warnings, particularly during periods of high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity.

Beekeepers commonly use smokers to calm bees during hive inspections and honey harvesting. However, the minister warned producers to avoid lighting smokers or any other fires when weather conditions create a high fire risk.

Beekeepers should follow local fire restrictions and avoid using open flames or bee smokers during periods of extreme fire danger.

Türkiye’s Growing Honey Industry

Türkiye’s ambition to become the world’s leading honey producer reflects the scale and diversity of its agricultural sector. With millions of beehives, a wide range of regional honey varieties and a dominant position in pine honey production, the country already has a strong position in the global market.

If production reaches the expected 97,000–100,000 tons in 2026, Türkiye will take another step toward its goal of becoming the world’s number-one honey producer.

At the same time, government initiatives focused on suitable beekeeping areas, new income opportunities and fire prevention are aimed at making the sector more productive and sustainable for producers across the country.