Economic analysis of beekeeping enterprises in Aegean Region, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the economic analysis of beekeeping enterprises in Aegean Region ofTurkey. The material of the current study was collected through face to face interviews from the total of 73 small, medium and large-scale enterprises determined by simple random sampling in Aegean region of Turkey (Aydın, Denizli, Mugla provinces). A backwardregression model was developed to assess the input and output relationships in the enterprises. According to the results, the factors thataffect the total profit, namely, marketing costs, sale price, unit cost, equipment and other expenses were found to be statisticallysignificant (p<0.05). In the study, the lowest cost of producing honey was found to be in large-scale enterprises (1.82 US$/kg) and inthe province of Aydın (1.64 US$/kg), whereas the highest cost of producing honey was found to be in small-scale enterprises (3.14US$/kg) and in the province of Denizli (3.79 US$/kg). Net profit was calculated to be 41.16 US$/hive in small-scale, 28.75 US$/hivein medium-scale and 35.45 US$/hive in large-scale enterprises. In conclusion, considering that the major problem of beekeepingenterprises in Aegean Region is the marketing (64.3%) and the, study also suggested that some measures and supports actions shouldbe put into practice including augmentation of the sale opportunities of the honey produced and the activation of structures ofcooperatives so that the profitability of enterprises may be increased, and beekeeping activity may be carried out in a sustainablemanner.