Beekeeping enterprises in Türkiye (2013–2024): national trends, regional clusters, and inequality analysis

Abstract

This study examines the temporal and spatial distribution of beekeeping enterprises in Türkiye between 2013 and 2024. Using annual province-based data from the Turkish Sta-tistical Institute (TUIK), trends in the number of enterprises and regional disparities were analyzed. Following pre-processing steps, compound annual growth rate (CAGR), k-means clustering, absolute and relative volatility measures, and Gini and Theil indices were calculated. The findings indicate that enterprises reached their lowest level in 2019, with a noticeable recovery between 2021 and 2023, and a slight decline in 2024. Provinces such as Muğla, Antalya, and Ordu have the highest number of enterprises. Southeastern Anatolia provinces, despite their small bases, are notable for their high growth rates. Cluster analysis revealed that provinces are divided into high-, medium-, and low-activity groups, with just five provinces accounting for 16% of the total in 2024. Regional inequal-ity measures were observed at low levels (Gini=0.158; Theil=0.048). This indicates the broad geographical spread of beeIkeeping enterprises. The study demonstrates both the stability of the beekeeping sector in mature regions and its dynamic growth in emerging regions, offering important implications for policymakers.