Rasim Kaplan, President of the Samsun Provincial Beekeepers Association, stated that there are…

Rasim Kaplan, President of the Samsun Provincial Beekeepers Association, stated that there are 1,400 beekeepers in the city, with over 100,000 hives and an annual honey production between 900 and 1,200 tons.

Kaplan noted that Turkey ranks second in the world and first in Europe in honey production. Samsun ranks 20th nationwide, and the Samsun Beekeepers Association is among the top 15 in evaluations by the Ministry of Agriculture.

He emphasized that beekeepers' biggest challenges are combating varroa mites and rising production costs, especially the increase in sugar prices, which burdens producers.