In the first 9 months of the year, $23 million 393 thousand were earned in honey exports to 52 countries.
According to the compilation of data from the Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association (DKIB), Turkiye, which ranks second after China in world honey production and 12th in exports, exported 7 thousand 137 tons of honey in the January-September period.
A profit of $23 million 393 thousand 402 was made from the foreign sales in question. The USA ranked first in country’s exports to 52 countries with $9 million 925 thousand 259.
In the third quarter of the year, unlike the same period last year, honey was also sold to Croatia, the People’s Republic of China, Albania, Iceland, Sweden, Syria, Uzbekistan and Cameroon.
$2 million 339 thousand 571 of Turkiye’s honey export was carried out by companies operating in the Eastern Black Sea region.
“We expect to close the end of the year with an export potential of around $35 million”
DKIB Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Ahmet Hamdi Gurdogan said that the very dry spring and summer season of 2023 negatively affected the honey yield.
Stating that the honey yield remained low for this reason, Gurdogan stated that exports were not at the level they expected due to the low yield.
Gurdogan noted that they expect to close the end of the year with an export potential of around $35 million and said, “Honey, which is not actually reflected in foreign trade figures, but is purchased by tourists coming to our country and taken with them upon their return, also contributes positively to our exports. In this way, the recognition of Turkish honey increases.”
“Efforts to make Turkish honey a brand need to be done urgently”
Emphasizing that tourism potential will increase honey exports in the coming days, Gurdogan stated that the production of branded, quality and packaged products is also important in exports.
Gurdogan stated that work should be done urgently to make Turkish honey a reputable brand in international markets and said:
“Unfortunately, it is very difficult to reach the desired figures in our exports without increasing the number of our brands and without effective control. Markets gained through years of effort are lost when a company makes a mistake due to lack of control. In addition, we can further increase the export of honey with promotional activities that will highlight the health and supplement aspects of honey, not just a food consumed in kitchens.”
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz