”Bumblebee” export from Antalya to 25 countries

“Winged agricultural worker bumblebees”, which were imported in previous years but started to be produced in Antalya and exported in a short time, play a major role in drug-free fruit and vegetable cultivation. In the first 3 months of the year, 85 thousand colonies and 110 thousand queen bumblebees were exported and more than 2 million euros were generated. Plant Production and Plant Health Branch Manager Dr. Safinaz Arslan said that exports were made to 25 countries, especially Azerbaijan, Belgium and Iran.

Bumblebees, which are used for pollination in greenhouse production in Antalya, make a great contribution to the producer. Bumblebees, which were used especially for tomato pollination and were imported in previous years, are now ready to be exported.

IT IS EXAMINED WITH MICROSCOPES

Companies in Antalya contribute to the country’s economy with the bumblebee colonies they offer to both the domestic market and abroad. The bees are carefully cared for in the boxes where they were placed when they were young. Bumblebees, which are closely monitored at every moment, are examined with microscopes.

PCR tests are also performed to check whether the bees have any problems at the molecular level. Colonies, including queen bees that have reached adulthood, are sold in the desired number and placed in greenhouses.

110 THOUSAND QUEENS AND 85 THOUSAND COLONY WERE EXPORTED IN 3 MONTHS

In Antalya, 5 companies produce bumblebees and offer them to producers. Bumblebees, which were imported in previous years, are now produced in Turkey, especially in Antalya, to meet the needs of the domestic market and are exported. Export figures are also increasing day by day. In 2021, approximately 600 thousand colonies of bumble bees and nearly 1 million queen bees were produced in the city, and 66 thousand colonies were exported in the same year. Approximately 1 million 700 thousand euros of export revenue was obtained. By 2024, an increase was observed in both export figures and foreign exchange income.

“2 MILLION EUROS REVENUE WAS OBTAINED”

Plant Production and Plant Health Branch Manager Dr. Safinaz Arslan said that exports were made to 25 countries, especially Azerbaijan, Belgium and Iran. Arslan said, “In 2023, we exported 106 thousand colonial bumblebees and 92 thousand queen bumblebees. An income of 3 million euros was obtained. In the first 3 months of 2024, we exported 85 thousand colonial bumblebees and 110 thousand queen bumblebees, an increase compared to the previous year. “An income of 2 million euros was generated,” he said.

Yağız Süzen, general manager of a company in Antalya, said that bumblebees are constantly focused on work and are more productive in narrow spaces than honey bees. Stating that they collect pollen for their offspring and thus contribute to pollination, Süzen said, “We literally call them ‘winged agricultural workers’.

Demand is very high. Our producers benefit from bumblebees at a rate of 98 percent. As Türkiye, we also have a significant amount of exports. We export 1/3 of our production. We ship to Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkic Republics and most of the Gulf countries. “The producers’ interest in bumblebees continues unabated,” he said.