Beekeepers warn of sophisticated honey counterfeiting in North Macedonia

Beekeepers in North Macedonia are warning of highly sophisticated honey counterfeiting that has become difficult to detect through visual or taste tests alone. According to beekeeper Igor Ilkov, the technology used to create fake honey has advanced to a level where only laboratory analysis can reliably distinguish authentic bee-produced honey from fraudulent products.

Local beekeepers note that while the market is saturated with low-priced honey, domestic production is insufficient to meet demand. They suggest that many of the cheaper options on store shelves are imported products of questionable origin and quality.

Approximately 6,000 beekeepers in the country are currently facing challenges, including unfavorable weather conditions that have led to low production yields. Vanço Trajkovski, Director of ADRA, noted that consumers often opt for cheaper, suspicious products despite known risks.