Despite the recent dust storms that have affected flowers and gardens, Ahmad Pishdar, president of the Kurdistan Regional Beekeepers Organization, remains optimistic about this year’s honey production.
In an interview on Sunday, April 27, 2025, Pishdar acknowledged the challenges posed by the dust, noting that it has damaged the bees by covering flowers. Beekeepers have been forced to wash the flowers more frequently to protect the bees. However, he believes that honey production this year will be better than last year, particularly in the desert areas where recent rains have been beneficial.
“The bees are currently in a golden age,” Pishdar said. He explained that while the timing of honey ripening depends on temperature, in the Kurdistan Region it typically occurs during July and August.
In 2024, the region produced approximately 645 tons of honey, up from 2023, with over 8,000 beekeepers operating in the area. Over the past two years, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has successfully exported significant quantities of honey, boosting sales for local beekeepers. On November 29, 2023, the first honey shipment from the Kurdistan Region arrived in Qatar and was later exported to several other countries.
