First EU-registered Honey from Türkiye
The term ‘Bingöl Balı’ denotes a particular type of honey recently granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union (EU). This is the first honey from Türkiye and the first product from the Bingöl province to receive this important recognition from the EU.
By recognising this honey as a PDO, the EU both protects the name ‘Bingöl Balı’ and ensures that the product has distinctive qualities linked to the region’s geography and traditional production methods and protecting them.
The rich floral diversity of the area
This honey, unique to the province of Bingöl, is a delectable product that ranges in colour from light amber to dark amber. Around 1,700 plant species exist in the area, 300 of which are endemic to the highlands Bingöl. The region’s rich floral diversity, climatic characteristics, and wide range of flowering periods contribute to the honey’s remarkable flavour. Beekeeping, a longstanding tradition in Bingöl, is an essential source of income for the region.
Ambassador Thomas Hans Ossowski
The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Hans Ossowski, reflects: “I welcome the EU registering Bingöl Balı with PDO status. The registration will add value to Bingöl Balı and protect it from counterfeiting and fraud. With the EU’s PDO logo, consumers can be certain they are buying genuine, delicious Bingöl Balı.”
Mehmet Ali Aba, the Head of Bingöl Beekeepers Association
Mehmet Ali Aba, the Head of the Bingöl Beekeepers Association, the applicant group, reflects: “We are delighted and proud. Our honey is already of very high quality. We have 12 awards, including from England and France. The EU PDO will ensure our honey receives the recognition it deserves, paving the way for substantial exports.”
Beekeeping, a longstanding tradition in Bingöl, is an essential source of income for the region
At the 45th Apimondia International Beekeeping Congress in Istanbul in 2017, ‘Bingöl Balı’was placed second in the world among 600 competitors from 120 countries. In 2023, it won ‘Gold’ awards at the Paris International Honey Awards (PIHA) and the London International Honey Awards. Most recently, in January, it received the ‘Golden Honey’ award at the International Honey Competition held in Paris.
Assoc. Prof Dr Deniz Canlı, Deputy Director of Beekeeping Application and Research Center, Bingöl University
Bingöl University, a pilot university for beekeeping, has contributed to the process of this honey receiving PDO status by studying 117 plants over three years. “When we see this logo, we can be sure that it is Bingöl Balı produced in Bingöl,” says Assoc. Prof Dr Deniz Canlı, Deputy Director of Beekeeping Application and Research Center, Bingöl University.
Beekeeping Application and Research Center, Bingöl University
Honey producer İbrahim Işık states: “Our honey is very special. I think that, with the EU registration, the brand value of our honey will increase, and the honey will be recognised in Europe.”
Another producer, Murat İnak, says: “The EU registration will increase the recognition of honey, our city and our country abroad, and thus we, the producers, will be able to find new markets worldwide.”
Yet another producer, Naim Balun, reflects: “We are very happy and proud. Our product is of very high quality and unique to our region. But there is counterfeit honey being sold under the name ‘Bingöl Balı’. I think the EU geographical indication will help prevent this fraud.”
The EU has awarded PDO or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status to the following products from Türkiye: Antep Baklavası/Gaziantep Baklavası, Aydın Kestanesi, Aydın İnciri, Bayramiç Beyazı, Malatya Kayısısı, Milas Zeytinyağı, Taşköprü Sarımsağı, Giresun Tombul Fındığı, Antakya Künefesi, Suruç Narı, Çağlayancerit Cevizi, Gemlik Zeytini, Edremit Zeytinyağı, Milas Yağlı Zeytini, Ayaş Domatesi, Edremit Körfezi Yeşil Çizik Zeytini, Maraş Tarhanası, Ezine Peyniri, Safranbolu Safranı, Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı, Araban Sarımsağı, Bingöl Balı, Osmaniye Yer Fıstığı, Bursa Şeftalisi, Hüyük Çileği, Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı, Söke Pamuğu, Manisa Mesir Macunu, Gaziantep Menengiç Kahvesi / Gaziantep Melengiç Kahvesi, Silifke Yoğurdu, Aydın Memecik Zeytini, and Aydın Çam Fıstığı.
