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Türkiye, the world’s second-largest honey producer, is set to host the 15th International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (IMYB), widely known as the “Beekeeping Olympics,” in 2027, marking the first time the event will be held in the country.
The announcement, made by the Turkish Association of Bee Breeders (TAB), places the Western Black Sea province of Duzce at the center of an international gathering that brings together young beekeepers to compete and exchange knowledge.
The decision to host the IMYB in Duzce reflects both the region’s ecological strengths and Türkiye’s expanding role in global beekeeping networks.
The province stands out for its dense forest coverage, which accounts for around 60% of its land, as well as its distinct bee ecotype and the presence of the Beekeeping Research Center (DAGEM) at Duzce University.
Türkiye’s growing engagement with international beekeeping institutions became more visible after it joined the European Beekeeping Association (EBA) as a full member in September 2024, represented by TAB.
Founded earlier that year in Belgrade and headquartered in Lukovica, Slovenia, the association aims to bring together beekeeping communities across Europe and beyond. Slovenia’s role as host country also ties into its long-standing influence in beekeeping culture, including its initiative behind the United Nations-recognized World Bee Day.
Observed annually on May 20 since 2017, World Bee Day commemorates Anton Jansa, an 18th-century Slovenian pioneer widely regarded as the world’s first official beekeeping teacher.
According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Türkiye ranks second globally in honey production and third in the number of beehives, with around 9.3 million colonies. Within Europe, it holds the top position in hive numbers.
This production capacity is closely tied to the country’s geography, which spans three different biogeographical regions and supports roughly 12,000 plant species, about one-third of which are endemic. The resulting biodiversity allows for continuous flowering cycles throughout the year, creating favorable conditions for beekeeping.
Türkiye also plays a dominant role in pine honey production, supplying up to 92% of the global total.
The upcoming IMYB event builds on Türkiye’s previous experience in hosting major global beekeeping gatherings. The country hosted congresses of Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations, in Istanbul in both 2017 and 2022.
Founded in 1895 in Belgium and now bringing together 114 member associations from 77 countries, Apimondia serves as a key global platform for advancing beekeeping practices and cooperation. Türkiye has been an active member since 2003 through TAB.
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