Economic Analysis of Beekeeping Operations and Factors Affecting Production in Mediterranean Region of Turkey

The main objective of this study is to investigate economic analysis of beekeeping operations and determine factors affecting the production in the Mediterranean region. In this regard, the survey was conducted in 2013 and the data was obtained via face to face interviews with 139 beekeepers. In order to determine beekeeping enterprises, stratified sampling method was used in terms of owned hives. According to the results, the average honey cost in the region is 5.30 US$/kg. The average number of hives is 179.06 and the yield per hive is 12.3 kg/year. The average annual gross production value is 25029 and net profit is 19882 US$. The average relative profit was calculated as 2.70 US$/year. 15 variables were grouped under four factors affecting honey production as specific factors for enterprises, outsourcing, product diversity and auxiliary factors. In this frame, problems for beekeeping enterprises in Mediterranean region are identified, and then specific solutions are provided.