Turkish honey awarded gold medal at UK competition

Ilyas Özgül, a beekeeper from Keşan, Edirne, has earned a gold medal in the polyflora category at the 2026 London International Honey Awards, a prestigious event in the UK. After a long career in finance, he started his honey production business in 2002 in the İspat Cami neighborhood.

At 57, Özgül has extensively researched honey production, consulting with international experts and attending over 200 conferences. His experience with the Beekeepers’ Association allowed him to learn about standard beekeeping practices in Turkey, which he applied to his boutique business.