Beekeepers, who had a productive season this year, are still not happy because of the high costs. The beekeepers, who cannot afford the expenses for honey production, complain that the government's support of 20 Turkish Liras (TL) per hive is insufficient.
The healing source honey is the main production source of agricultural life in Turkey. 2022 is a productive year for beekeepers who have been producing honey under difficult conditions despite economic and seasonal problems for years. However, rising sugar prices, doubling of costs and rising costs of drugs used in beekeeping put honey producers in more trouble than ever before. The beekeepers, who cannot afford the expenses for bees and honey production due to the economic crisis, complain that the government's support of 20 TL per hive is insufficient. Speaking to the Milli Gazete about the point of beekeeping in Turkey, Şile Beekeepers Agricultural Development Cooperative President Ahmet Can explained how the economic crisis affected honey production.
“EVEN THE HONEY PRODUCTION IS GOOD, THE PRICE INCREASE IN EXCHANGE AND DIESEL AFFECTED US IN THREE WAYS”
Stating that 2022 honey production is going well due to climatic conditions, but beekeepers are negatively affected by the increase in foreign exchange and diesel prices, Şile Beekeeping and Bee Products Agricultural Development Cooperative President Ahmet Can said, “Honey production in 2022 is in a very good condition across the country compared to last year. I can say that the reason for this is good climatic conditions for beekeeping. However, although honey production was good this year, the price increase in foreign exchange and diesel affected us in three ways. With the increase in both production costs and costs such as transportation, and their upward reflection on product prices, and the decrease in the purchasing power of the consumer in all, there is a situation where the priority of purchasing honey is withdrawn.”
“OUR REQUEST IS THAT SUPPORT IS EQUAL TO AT LEAST 10 KG OF SUGAR PER HIVE”
Stating that price increases in sugar will play a negative role in beekeepers' ability to feed adequately, Ahmet Can said, “Crystal powdered beet sugar is a very important nutrient given to bees as a substitute for the honey harvested after the spring feeding of the bees coming out of the winter and the honey production season. Sugar is the most important expense of beekeepers. Due to the 4-5 times increase in sugar, many beekeepers will not be able to feed adequately, so many bee deaths are expected this winter. This situation and the increase in production costs will cause many beekeepers to leave the profession. Discounted sugar support is provided through unions at a 20 percent discount from market prices. However, the product supplied is not sufficient. Support per hive is 20 TL and it is very little. Supports should be made in proportion to the price of sugar. In other words, it is our demand that the support be equivalent to at least 10 kg of sugar per hive.”
“LICENSED MEDICINE IS EXPENSIVE, IT DIRECTS BEEKEEPERS TO UNLICENSED OR SELF-MADE MEDICAMENTS”
Noting that the prices of licensed drugs are expensive in the fight against pests such as varroa in some periods, Ahmet Can said, “For example, varroa is the most important problem of bees and beekeepers. The struggle must always be made. This is one of the most important expense items. The expensiveness of licensed drugs directs beekeepers to unlicensed or self-made drugs. If support is to be provided, the main thing should be done in this regard. If it is done in the direction of both training and giving licensed products, the wintering success of bees will increase and bee deaths will decrease. In addition to all these, while the beekeeper has many input costs and increases exponentially, these are inevitably reflected in the sales price of the product. This situation benefits businesses that produce fake or adulterated products, which have become a sector like businesses rather than under the stairs. Overcoming this situation requires struggle, effective supervision and controls.”