Turkey: bees and honey production hit by wildfires 

Turkey is a major global producer and consumer of honey. Around 95 per cent of honeydew honey comes from the country, but now production is threatened by the wildfires ravaging Turkey’s southern and western coastal regions. Firefighters have been struggling since last Wednesday to take under control with strong winds fanning the flames.

According to the preliminary assessment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Ankara, the wildfires have left honey production significantly at risk in Mugla. Some 80 per cent of the region — home to 45 per cent of Turkey’s total bee keeping centres — has been affected by the fires.

The producers of Marmaris Pine Honey say that approximately three thousand bees have been killed. The production of this particular honey, which was registered with its geographical origin last year, cannot now continue for at least an estimated 15-20 years due to the burning of the forests.

Accounting for 92 per cent of the world’s pine honey production, this variety is widely available in Turkey. The president of the Environment and Bee Protection Association, Samil Tuncay Bestoy, explained that 70 per cent losses have been incurred. Production will be reduced as a result, and prices will increase.

Honey has been used as remedy in Turkey for at least 10,000 years. Bee products were exploited continuously from the seventh millennium BC. Wall paintings and other motifs of bees and honey found at Catalhöyük in Turkey date back to 8,000-7,000 B.C., while coins found at Ephesus and the mention of honey in the classic works of Homer all point to the importance of the product throughout the history of what is now called Turkey.

READ: Turkey spent 2% of forest protection budget before wildfires erupted