With a 4% increase in revenue, Türkiye’s high-quality honey reached 51 countries last year, with the United States emerging as the leading importer.
Türkiye’s apiculture sector continues its upward trajectory in the global market, with honey exports reaching a valuation of $33,524,594 in 2025. According to data from the Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association (DKİB), Turkish honey, renowned for its floral diversity and quality, was exported to 51 countries, autonomous regions, and free zones throughout the past year.
The 2025 figures represent a steady 4% growth compared to 2024, when export revenues stood at $32,312,078. This growth highlights the increasing international trust in Turkish honey brands and the success of market diversification strategies implemented by local exporters.
Top Markets: USA, Germany, and the UK The United States remained the primary destination for Turkish honey in 2025, accounting for a significant portion of the total revenue. The export breakdown for the top three markets is as follows:
- United States: $11,332,448
- Germany: $5,437,428
- United Kingdom: $2,980,897
Expansion into New Territories One of the most promising developments in 2025 was the expansion of the export network. Türkiye successfully entered several new markets that were not on the list in the previous year. These include Poland, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Moldova, Djibouti, Congo, Syria, and Yemen. This expansion into both European and African markets signals a growing appetite for diverse honey varieties, including pine, chestnut, and geographically indicated organic honeys.
Strategic Vision for 2026 Saffet Kalyoncu, Chairman of the Board of DKİB, emphasized that Türkiye holds a critical global position due to its production capacity and product quality. “We closed the year with a 4% increase and found opportunities to ship to brand-new countries. This proves that Turkish honey is becoming a staple on global tables,” Kalyoncu stated.
For 2026, the sector’s focus will shift toward high-value-added products. “Our goal is to strengthen our presence in different markets with geographically indicated and organic certified products,” Kalyoncu added. By collaborating closely with producers to maintain sustainable production models, the industry aims to exceed the $35 million mark in the coming year.
Citations & References
- DKİB (Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association): 2025 Year-End Honey Export Statistics (Published January 12, 2026).
- Anadolu Agency (AA): “Türkiye’nin bal ihracatı 2025’te 33,5 milyon doları aştı” (Reported January 12, 2026).
- Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK): Comparative foreign trade data for natural honey (HS Code 0409).
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization): Global honey production rankings (Türkiye ranks 2nd in production).
