Kurdistan Region Honey Production Expected to Surpass Last Year Despite Climate Challenges
Sherwani noted that honey production reached 100 tons in 2023, and this year’s yield is projected to be higher, with harvesting continuing until mid-September.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Honey production in the Kurdistan Region is expected to exceed last year’s output, despite facing challenges from climate change and recurring dust storms, according to the Beekeepers Network Association of Kurdistan.
“This year’s honey will be better than last year’s, although it may not fully meet expectations due to climate change and several dust storms in June,” said Arif Sherwani, the head of the association, in an interview with Kurdistan24 on Thursday.
Sherwani noted that honey production reached 100 tons in 2023, and this year’s yield is projected to be higher, with harvesting continuing until mid-September. He emphasized that honey from the Kurdistan Region is renowned for its quality, winning first place in several international competitions thanks to the region’s favorable climate and abundance of thorny flowers, especially in desert areas.
He recalled that in 2009, Kurdistan Region honey won first place in an international competition in France, and has continued to achieve recognition in global contests since then. However, Sherwani expressed concern about practices that could damage the product’s reputation.
“Some irresponsible individuals are feeding sugar to bees and selling it as genuine honey,” he warned, urging authorities to take stronger action to protect the authenticity and quality of Kurdistan’s honey.
Currently, the Kurdistan Region has 15,000 beekeepers managing more than 800,000 beehives. In recent years, honey exports have also gained momentum. On November 29, 2023, the first shipment of Kurdish honey arrived in Qatar, marking the beginning of wider exports to international markets.
Read More: KRG delivers first ever honey export to Qatar
The expansion of honey production aligns with the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) broader efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector. In December 2022, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani described agriculture as “underdeveloped” and highlighted its potential to diversify the economy, improve food security, and enhance the Kurdistan Region’s role in Iraq and the wider Middle East.
