The “Kadın Emeği Girişimciler Üretim ve İşletme Kooperatifi” (Women’s Labor Entrepreneurs Production and Operation Cooperative) in the Lalapaşa district of Edirne is preparing to introduce its Çallıdere honey, produced in lavender fields, to global markets. This unique honey stands out with its high proline content and phenolic diversity, making it highly promising for export.
Increasing Production of Çallıdere Honey for Export
The Çallıdere honey, produced by the Lalapaşa Women’s Entrepreneurship Production and Operation Cooperative, established in Edirne, is set to increase production and be ready for export. The cooperative was founded in 2022 by honey producer Nuri Danışman and women from the region. In the Çallıdere village of Lalapaşa, located near the Bulgarian border, members of the cooperative began planting medicinal aromatic plants, primarily lavender, on forested lands that had lost their forest status. This led to the start of honey production.
Laboratory Analysis Confirms Quality
The honey produced has undergone analysis at Trakya University’s Technology Research and Development Application and Research Center (TÜTAGEM). The analysis showed that while the average proline content in typical honey ranges from 300 to 600 milligrams, the proline level in Çallıdere honey is approximately 900 milligrams. Additionally, no pesticide residues were detected.
What is Proline?
Proline is one of the 20 amino acids that make up the proteins in honey and is the most important amino acid to indicate the purity of honey. Proline is only found in honey, and it cannot be artificially introduced. Fake honey has very little or no proline.
Produced in Lavender Fields
Danışman, the cooperative manager, expressed pride in their work, stating, “We are very proud. Lalapaşa is one of the smallest districts in Trakya. We started this project to support the development of the district. With the support of the Edirne Forest Management Directorate, we planted aromatic plants on lands that had lost their forest status, made them ready for honey production, and supported the bees.”
Cooperative’s Focus on Quality and Export
After learning that honey produced in the region was also used in the kitchens of the Ottoman Palace, the cooperative accelerated its efforts to improve quality. The analysis at Trakya University confirmed that their honey contained no harmful substances and was rich in 32 beneficial compounds, distinguishing it from other types of honey.
“We are working on this and attending trade fairs to make connections. The honey yield is not yet sufficient for export, so we are focusing on improving this,” said Danışman.
Global Market Value and Future Goals
The global market value of lavender honey is €32 per kilogram. A truck can carry 23 tons of honey. The cooperative’s future goal is to export honey from the region and improve quality further.
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