Wasit’s Al-Suwayra district hosts first honey festival, establishing new beekeeper association

WASIT — Beekeepers in the Al-Suwayra district of northern Wasit governorate have organized its first annual Honey Festival, showcasing their produce and formally launching a new association aimed at addressing key challenges in beekeeping.

Approximately 100 beekeepers participated, forming the nucleus of the newly established Wasit Beekeepers Association.

Raed Al-Mayahi, a beekeeper and organizer emphasized the importance of facilitating the transportation of bee colonies between governorates and raising awareness about the risks of deforestation.

Al-Suwayra has a long history of beekeeping and honey production. According to Al-Mayahi, the festival aimed to promote local honey products and foster collaboration among beekeepers. The honey production in the area is due to the area’s vast agricultural lands.

The Wasit Beekeepers Association, which includes representatives from all districts and towns in the province, plans to address various issues. Among these are advocating for ease of hive transport between provinces, and combating deforestation.

The festival also served as a networking platform, encouraging trade and the exchange of expertise among local beekeepers.

“The festival also aims to promote networking among beekeepers, enhance commercial exchange, and share expertise. Al-Suwayra is home to prominent beekeepers who manage hundreds of hives,” he concluded.

Beekeepers throughout Iraq are reporting challenges this honey season, attributing the difficulties to an unusually rainy spring that hindered bees from collecting nectar from waterlogged flowers.

Honey production across Iraq is facing significant challenges. In Erbil’s Balakayati region, an outbreak of American Foulbrood—a highly contagious disease—has wiped out nearly 80% of beehives, drastically reducing production. Beekeepers in Sinjar and Pshdar district have also reported sharp declines, attributing the drop to adverse weather and disease. In Pshdar, honey yields have fallen by 80% this year alone.

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