Beekeepers in Sinjar report drastic drop in honey production due to poor weather conditions

SINJAR — Beekeepers in the Sinjar district of Nineveh have reported a dramatic decline in honey production this year due to poor weather conditions, particularly the lack of rainfall in the Sinjar Mountains.

Beekeepers in the region typically place their hives in the mountains, where bees thrive on the wildflowers that grow after seasonal rains. This year, however, the lack of rain has severely impacted the bees’ ability to gather nectar, leading to a significant drop in honey production.

Salah Khalil, a beekeeper from Sinjar, told 964media, “The low rainfall this year has resulted in very limited agricultural activity in the Sinjar Mountains, which has made it extremely difficult to sustain our bees. Most of them have died.”

Khalil, who has been beekeeping since 2016, noted the severity of this year’s situation. “Since 2016, I’ve been producing around two tons of honey each year, but this year, I’ve only harvested 40 kilograms,” he said.

He also explained that the issue isn’t unique to him. “There are more than 100 beekeepers in this area, and all of us are facing the same problem.”

Despite increasing his number of beehive boxes from 80 to 350 this year, the poor conditions have devastated Khalil’s production. Beehive boxes, or Langstroth hives, allow bees to build honeycomb on removable frames, making honey collection easier for beekeepers. These hives rely heavily on the availability of flowering plants, which bloom after rainfall, to provide bees with the nectar needed to make honey.

Yosif Sarhuki, a beekeeper who lives in Duhok but keeps hives on Mount Sinjar, told 964media that Sinjar honey is known for its quality, but production has declined this year. “Bees rely on lush areas to produce honey, and the shortage of rain has had a significant impact,” he said. “Although some parts of Sinjar fared better, overall production has been affected.”

Sarhuki added that despite some assistance provided to beekeepers in the form of new hives and equipment, the lack of rain continues to pose a major challenge. Many beekeepers in the region have reported the death of numerous bees and lower-than-expected honey yields as a result.

The decline in production is a serious concern for local beekeepers, who traditionally rely on the natural conditions in the Sinjar Mountains to support their livelihoods. While efforts to provide equipment and resources have helped, the ongoing drought raises concerns about the sustainability of beekeeping in the region if rainfall continues to be insufficient.