Demand rises for rare honey varieties in Nasiriyah

NASIRIYAH, September 4 — Nasiriyah is known for its variety of honey types, but demand is on the rise for two specific kinds: Omani Sidr honey and Karbala honey — both renown for their quality and nutritional value — while honey from Qandil Mountain tops the list of sought after varieties at $200 per kilogram.

Local vendors offer Omani Sidr honey through importers and agents in Baghdad, while Karbala honey comes from bee farms in Karbala. Qandil Mountain honey, the rarest and most expensive variety, is sourced from Qandil Mountain in Sulaymaniyah.

Omani Sidr honey is produced by bees from the nectar of Sidr tree flowers in the mountains of Oman. It is renowned for its taste and unique aroma, as well as its ability to maintain its quality for many years.

Mohammed Saleh, a honey seller, told 964: “Sidr honey is the most popular in Nasiriyah, unlike other varieties like mountain and floral honey.”

“The price per kilogram of Omani honey is 80,000 Iraqi dinars, while Karbala honey is priced at 60,000 dinars. As for the rare Qandil Mountain honey, it reaches $200,” Saleh said.

Customer Musa Hameed said: “I use honey daily, one spoon dissolved in a cup of water, which is a healthy way to consume honey. It provides the body and memory with high activity and helps alleviate digestive problems. A quarter of a kilogram lasts me for about two weeks.”