We have been continuing our “Honey Forest" project, launched in 2010, without slowing down. To support beekeeping, increase the production of organic honey and other bee products, and ensure food safety, we continue to establish new honey forests across the country.
To date, we have created 880 honey forests with a total capacity of 1,071,888 beehives over an area of 101,083 hectares, thus contributing both to beekeeping and to the national economy. Our target by the end of this year is to reach 910 honey forests.
Honey forests not only provide economic, ecological, and social benefits but also serve as an investment in the future of forestry. Thanks to our ongoing efforts in this field, Türkiye has risen to second place worldwide in honey production. Approximately 25% of our country's honey production comes directly from forested areas in pine honey regions. Moreover, honey forests support local product diversity by promoting region-specific honey types. Some of our notable honey forests include:
• Hasan Hüseyin Çınar Honey Forest, the Mersin Regional Directorate of Forestry – Sandal (Arbutus) honey
• Bilice Village Honey Forest, the Elâzığ Regional Directorate of Forestry – Geven (Astragalus) honey
• Özdere Honey Forest, the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry – Hayıt (Chaste tree) honey
• Serban Pollen Honey Forest, the Eskişehir Regional Directorate of Forestry – Laden (Cistus) honey
Additionally, at Zekeriya Village Honey Forest, under the Artvin Regional Directorate of Forestry, a unique honey known as “Ardanuç Zegani Honey"—produced from endemic plant species specific to the region—is undergoing studies for registration as a geographical indication. Meanwhile, Kavşut Village Honey Forest of the Kahramanmaraş Regional Directorate of Forestry stands out for its rich Astragalus flora and its contribution to honey production.
For more detailed information about honey forests, please visit the “Honey Forests" section on our website. Applications for bee placement within honey forests and forested areas can be submitted electronically via e-Government (e-Devlet) or directly to the nearest forest enterprise directorate.