Economic feasibility of package beekeeping application in Turkey: A case study of Edirne Province [Türkiye’de paket arıcılık uygulamasının ekonomik olarak uygulanabilirliği: Edirne ili örneği]

In this study, it was discussed whether the package beekeeping was an economical alternative to traditional beekeeping in Turkey. An experiment involving two different applications was carried out in the province of Edirne, which has a short production season due to the cold climate conditions. The control groups representing the colonies formed by the artificial swarms and the colonies formed by the package bees were compared in terms of economic feasibility in this experiment. The results of this study showed that package beekeeping was more advantageous for beekeeping enterprises when the artificial swarms’ application was taken into consideration. The purchase price of package bees for beekeeping enterprises in Edirne Province should be below US$39.52. In other words, package beekeeping for Edirne province is profitable for enterprises at prices below US$ 39.52. The package beekeeping can provide savings for beekeepers whose bees overwinter in cold climates. It was determined that if the bees were not wintered, the beekeeping enterprises could save US$31.63 per hive in this study. According to the results, it is expected that the dissemination of package beekeeping will have a hugely positive impact on beekeeping enterprises for North, Northwest and Eastern Anatolia Regions of Turkey. © 2019, Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi. All rights reserved.TAGEM/HAYSÜD 14/06/01/10 Maa- ja MetsätalousministeriÖ, MMM Maa- ja MetsätalousministeriÖ, MMM TAGEM/HAYSÜD 14/06/01/10 Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, MIFAFF[1] This study was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Turkey (Project number: TAGEM/HAYSÜD 14/06/01/10) -- Funding for this research was provided by Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Turkey under grant number TAGEM/HAYSÜD 14/06/01/10. The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Turkey for its financial support. -