# Honey harvesting and industry expansion in Muş, Turkey

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/honey-harvesting-in-mu-turkey
> Updated: 2026-10-13T12:03:57.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3.

The Muş Ovası region in Turkey has concluded its summer honey harvest, with regional producers yielding approximately 700 tons of honey from roughly 290,000 hives. Mehmet Şahin Kaya, President of the Muş Honey Producers Association, characterized the honey as generally organic due to the area’s rich flora and cushion plants.

Individual operations, such as that of Bertal and Zeytin Albay in the Varto district, have reported successful yields. Having expanded their business from 30 hives to 600 hives over 40 years, the couple harvested approximately 8 tons of honey from their Kartaldere village location. To manage production, they move their hives to Mersin, Antalya, Adana, and Hatay during winter months before returning to Varto in the spring.

To further bolster the industry, the ‘New Beehive for Golden Wings Project’ was launched as a collaboration between the Muş Governor's Office, the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Eastern Anatolia Development Agency (DAKA). Under this initiative, 100 local beekeepers received 1,000 new beehives, with participants receiving 10 hives each through a 75% state grant and 25% producer contribution. 

Muş Governor Avni Çakır noted that annual honey production has reached 602 tons and emphasized the need to combine traditional methods with modern science to increase capacity. He also highlighted that approximately 150 million lira worth of projects have been developed in the last 1.5 years through cooperation between the Governor's Office, DAKA, and the Eastern Anatolia Project (DAP) Regional Development Administration.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-13: Muş distributes 1,000 beehives to 100 local beekeepers

Muş, Turkey, has distributed 1,000 beehives to 100 local producers through a state-supported project aimed at boosting honey production and modernizing regional beekeeping.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mu-distributes-1000-beehives-to-100-local-beekeepers

### 2026-09-25: Beekeeping couple in Muş harvests 8 tons of honey

A beekeeping couple in Muş, Turkey, has grown their business from 30 to 600 hives over 40 years, harvesting approximately 8 tons of honey this season.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/beekeeping-couple-in-mu-harvests-8-tons-of-honey

### 2026-09-22: Muş Ovası completes honey harvest with 700 tons produced

Beekeepers in Turkey's Muş Ovası region have harvested approximately 700 tons of honey from 290,000 hives during the summer season.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mu-ovas-completes-honey-harvest-with-700-tons-produced

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Cite as: Honey harvesting and industry expansion in Muş, Turkey. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/honey-harvesting-in-mu-turkey