It is aimed to increase the export potential of Turkish honey, which found buyers in 37 countries in the first quarter of the year, with branded products.
According to the information compiled by the AA correspondent from the data of the Eastern Black Sea Exporters’ Association (DKIB), 3 thousand 612 tons of honey was exported in the January-March period, and an income of $10 million 946 thousand 538 was obtained.
In the first three months of the year, honey was sold to 37 countries, primarily the USA, Israel and Germany.
By exporting 1713 tons of honey to the USA, $4 million 334 thousand 192 were earned. Israel followed the USA with $1 million 803 thousand 82 and Germany with $1 million 795 thousand 587.
Unlike the first quarter of last year, honey was sold to Saudi Arabia, Ireland, People’s Republic of China, Azerbaijan-Nakhchivan and Cameroon from Turkiye.
“Heavy sanctions should be imposed on companies that export unbranded, badly packaged products”
Ahmet Hamdi Gurdogan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of DKIB, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Turkiye is home to very valuable endemic plant species.
Emphasizing that the country stands out in terms of quality honey production with its being surrounded by different plant species and the presence of thousands of flowers, Gurdogan said, “However, the fact that some companies do not attach importance to the brand and have recently exported poor quality honey instead of genuine and high quality honey causes the return of Turkish honey from many countries, including Canada.”
Gurdogan stated that this situation had a great impact on the exports of the sector and the image of the country and continued as follows:
“Relevant ministries should take immediate action and impose heavy sanctions on these companies that export poor quality, unbranded, badly packaged products and ban them from trade. Unfortunately, our export markets, which have been won with great difficulty, are being lost due to these negativities caused by malicious companies. In order for Turkish honey to see the value it deserves in foreign markets and for consumers to consume Turkish honey safely, the export of unbranded products should definitely not be allowed. In addition, packaging other than glass packaging and the export of packaged products over 3 kilograms should not be allowed.”
Pointing out that Turkish honey is a very important export item, Gurdogan said, “Necessary legislative arrangements should be made immediately so that Turkish honey can be categorized according to each plant species and exported as a brand with higher added value. Malicious companies should be banned from the sector as well.”
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz