Turkish honey exports reach $15.8 million across 37 countries in first half
Turkey exported 3,615 tonnes of honey worth $15.8 million to 37 countries in the first half of the year, according to DKİB data. The United States, United Kingdom and Germany led buyers, while Syria, Denmark, Sweden, Liberia and Cape Verde were new destinations.
Turkish honey reaches 37 markets in the first half of the year
Turkey exported 3,615 tonnes of honey worth $15.8 million to 37 countries during the first six months of the year, according to data from the Eastern Black Sea Exporters' Association (DKİB) reported by CNN Türk and Ensonhaber. Both the number of buyer countries and the volumes they ordered rose, lifting export revenue for a product that remains a niche line within Turkey's farm exports but is reaching a steadily wider set of destinations.
The country's temperate climate is well suited to beekeeping, and honey has become one of Turkey's notable agricultural export items. In the January–June period it was sold to consumers in 37 markets, led by the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Traditional markets dominate
The three leading buyers accounted for the bulk of the revenue:
- United States: $5,042,659
- United Kingdom: $2,178,874
- Germany: $1,954,561
Together these three traditional markets generated about $9.2 million, close to 60% of total honey export earnings. Across all 37 destinations the average value worked out at roughly $4,370 per tonne, underlining honey's position as a relatively high-value niche product rather than a bulk commodity.
Five new destinations
Unlike the same period a year earlier, Turkey also shipped honey to Syria, Denmark, Sweden, Liberia and Cape Verde in the first half, according to DKİB. The association's chairman, Selçuk İskender, said the move into new countries showed that awareness and preference for Turkish honey in international markets were increasing, while demand held up in established markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Outlook for the second half
İskender described the first-half performance as successful and said expectations for the rest of the year were positive. If the current pace of production and exports is maintained, he said, the association aims to surpass last year's figures for both export volume and foreign-currency earnings by year-end. He added that DKİB intends to defend and expand its share in existing markets while opening new ones, placing greater weight on promotion and on raising exports of value-added, branded honey to reach consumers in more countries.
