Honey producers in Muğla protest glucose-adulterated honey

Beekeepers in Muğla, Turkey, are protesting the sale of honey adulterated with glucose and sugar syrups, which they claim is being sold as authentic pine honey. The region is a critical hub for production, accounting for 86% of Turkey’s pine honey and 92% of the world’s supply.

Producers in districts including Milas, Menteşe, Marmaris, and Köyceğiz are currently conducting their final honey harvests. While recent favorable climate conditions have helped production reach a five-year high—with an expected yield of 20,000 to 25,000 tons from approximately 4 million hives—beekeepers report that high input costs, such as fuel, are making the business unsustainable.

Local beekeepers, including traveling producers from Sivas, have expressed frustration that their pure, organic products cannot compete in price with low-quality, syrup-based alternatives. They are calling for better market value for authentic honey to ensure the survival of the bee population and the continuity of the profession.