Türkiye’s sweet legacy in jeopardy

Türkiye, known for its rich honey production, is facing a growing crisis as counterfeit honey floods the market, threatening the country’s reputation as a global leader. 

Türkiye plays a significant role in the global honey market, ranking as the second-largest supplier in the world with an annual production of 115,000 tons, just behind China. It is followed by Ethiopia, Iran, and India, according to German media outlets.

The Turkish honey industry has an estimated annual value of around 270 million euros ($283.4 million), with Germany and the US being its largest importers.

The honey sector is currently facing a crisis due to the issue of counterfeit Turkish honey, although the full scale of counterfeit production in the country remains uncertain.

In recent months, police have seized several tons of adulterated honey, valued at approximately 25 million euros. One notable raid in Ankara in September 2024 uncovered 8,150 tons of glucose, fructose, and sugar, along with 100,000 labels for various honey brands.

Honey is frequently adulterated with sugar syrup, but if a product contains artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, glucose, corn syrup, or synthetic honeycomb, it cannot legally be sold as honey.

Such products are considered counterfeit or adulterated honey, which violates labeling regulations.

In the final quarter of 2024, Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture released lists revealing that 43 producers in the country were involved in adulterating honey.

Ankara is recognized as the hub of this industry, with most production facilities located there. The ministry also noted that two of the manufacturers distribute their adulterated products through major supermarket chains.

The industry is deeply concerned, with producers fearing significant harm to Türkiye's reputation in the global market, or that damage has already occurred. They are urging government action, including stricter regulations and harsher penalties for those producing counterfeit honey.

Ziya Sahin, president of the Turkish Beekeepers' Association, blames the Ministry of Agriculture for the issue. He is calling for more inspections and stricter penalties.

"The problem is the lack of regulation. Our beekeepers are angry, and they ask why we're not doing something to stop it. But we have no authority to inspect," Sahin said. "I'm not even allowed to ask street sellers whether their honey is real or not."

A meeting of the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations is scheduled to take place in Türkiye this year. Sahin mentions that they are in regular communication with their international partners.

"As in other parts of the world, there is counterfeit honey in Türkiye. We can't deny that. But we don't want Türkiye to be known as a paradise for fake honey. We won't accept that," Sahin insisted.