Climate change a serious factor
Declining production drives up honey prices in Sulaymaniyah
SULAYMANIYAH, January 23 — The price of honey has seen a sharp increase of at least 10,000 Iraqi dinars per kilogram this year, attributed to a significant decline in honey production in Sulaymaniyah.
Dilshad Mohammed, the head of the Sulaymaniyah Department of Bees, disclosed to 964media that honey prices have escalated by as much 20,000 dinars per kilogram for some varieties. He further shared that production in 2023 reached 200 tons, marking a dramatic fall compared to 2022 when beekeepers produced 600 tons of honey.
Citing adverse weather conditions, Mohammed explained that heavy rainfall late in the season resulted in fewer flowers and diminished yields.
Karwan Qadir, a honey seller in Sulaymaniyah, highlighted the repercussions of reduced supplies, noting that his costs are now higher compared to previous years. Those prices are then handed down to customers who have to pay more to buy honey in the markets.
Qadir stated, “The honey that was priced between 45,000 to 50,000 dinars per kilo in 2022 are now more than 65,000 dinars per kilo.”