In W42 in the honey landscape, Bulgaria's domestic honey prices are expected to reach record highs in 2023 due to stagnant production and significant imports from Ukraine. Producers predict prices surpassing USD 10.87 per jar of honey. According to beekeeping organizations, more than 650 thousand metric tons (mt) of Ukrainian honey have been imported to date, raising questions about potential resale in the Bulgarian market. Producers stress the importance of enhancing quality control to ensure safe and reasonably priced honey for consumers.
In Aug-23, China's bee product exports totaled USD 24 million, experiencing a year-on-year (YoY) decline of 24.92%. The export volume amounted to 11,500 mt, marking an 11.80% YoY decrease. Over the first eight months of 2023, China's overall bee product exports were valued at USD 221 million, showing an 18.43% YoY decrease, and the export volume reached 104,700 mt, signifying a 12.08% YoY decrease. During this eight-month period, Japan emerged as the primary market for China's bee product exports, with exports worth USD 45 million, representing a 17.36% YoY decrease. In Aug-23, the export volume to Japan amounted to USD 40 million, marking a notable 41.87% YoY decrease.
Hungarian honey faces stiff competition from honey produced in third countries, with concerns about counterfeit honey primarily originating from China. The European Union (EU) has not imposed sanctions on these fake honey products, and a substantial influx of cheap Chinese syrupy honey, amounting to 67 thousand mt in 2022, has negatively impacted European honey producers, who had to contend with lower prices. There is a demand for legislation that considers the interests of Hungarian and European beekeepers and safeguards consumers. The importance of accurate honey labeling is highlighted, emphasizing the need to specify the honey's origin and composition as opposed to using overly general labels.
Lastly, in Turkey, the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality signed a cooperation protocol for the "Kazdağları Honey Forest and Balköy," Turkey's largest honey forest project, spanning 206 hectares (ha). This initiative aims to foster beekeeping activities through training, promote the sale of top-quality honey worldwide, and establish an apitherapy Center for the healing potential of bee products.