Iraqi beekeeper overcomes challenging honey season, keeps tradition alive

NAJAF — Beekeepers across Iraq are reporting a difficult honey season this year, citing an unusually rainy spring that has disrupted bees’ ability to gather nectar from rain-soaked flowers. 964media interviewed beekeepers from northern to southern Iraq, including Al-Abbasiya in Najaf, where this report was filmed. Despite the challenges, young beekeeper Sadiq Al-Miyali has managed to produce a modest yet satisfactory quantity of honey from his hives in the fields east of Najaf.

Sadiq, a radiology student, has nurtured his childhood dream of establishing a honey farm on his family’s land in Tabr Sayyid Jawad, near Kufa. “I got my first beehive when I was seven,” he said, describing how his passion for beekeeping evolved into a sustainable project that now supports him financially. Today, his farm comprises 180 hives, including premium Sidr honey, the most in-demand and valuable type. He also produces honey varieties such as alfalfa, wildflower, thistle, and eucalyptus, marketing his products through his Facebook page, “Al-Abbasiya Apiaries.”

“I started my project with a single hive I bought at age seven, and over the years I have expanded to 180 hives, each producing 3-5 kilograms of honey, depending on bee density and the number of frames,” Al-Miyali told 964media.

This year, eucalyptus honey production has been notably lower due to climate changes and rain during its blooming season, which runs from mid-April to mid-May. This is followed by the alfalfa, clover, and Sidr honey harvests. The summer months of July and August pose additional risks, with extreme heat increasing bee mortality rates unless proper precautions are taken.

September marks the season for Sidr honey, the most sought-after variety, with each jar selling for 50,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $33 USD). Other types, such as eucalyptus, multi-floral, and clover, are priced at 30,000 dinars (about $20 USD) per jar.

“I feed the bees naturally by moving them between farms, whereas some beekeepers resort to artificial feeding, which harms bee health,” Al-Miyali explained. “Producing natural honey isn’t easy, so I keep quantities limited, and my stock sells out within weeks due to high demand.”

He recommends consuming honey in the morning before breakfast, using a plastic teaspoon to avoid reactions with metal. “You can also add two teaspoons to a cup of hot water before bed,” he suggested, emphasizing the well-known health benefits of honey.

Across Iraq, honey production faces substantial challenges. In Erbil’s Balakayati area, an outbreak of American Foulbrood—a highly contagious disease—has devastated nearly 80% of beehives, causing a sharp drop in production. Similarly, beekeepers in Sinjar and the Pshdar district have reported severe declines in yields, citing adverse weather and disease. In Pshdar alone, honey production has plummeted by 80% this year.