Honey production in the Kurdistan Region could rise by up to 20 percent this year. Favorable weather and healthier mountain pastures are supporting beekeepers across the region.
Qaraman Qadir, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, said that production could reach 550 to 600 tons this year. Last year, beekeepers produced between 450 and 500 tons.
The expected increase ranges from 15 to 20 percent. Qadir linked the growth to improved mountain pastures and weather conditions that favor beekeeping.
Several areas remain important honey-producing regions. In Erbil province and the Soran Independent Administration, major production centers include Choman, Balakayati, Sidakan, and Rawanduz.
In Sulaymaniyah province, Penjwen, Mawat, Qaradagh, and Sharazur also produce significant amounts of honey. Meanwhile, Amedi, Dinarta, and Zakho remain key production areas in Duhok province.
Qadir described Kurdistan honey as a high-quality product with strong international potential. Wild, oak, and multifloral honey rank among the region’s best-known varieties.
The ministry has registered more than 1,300 beekeepers across the Kurdistan Region. Together, they manage nearly 500,000 beehives.
The ministry also plans to strengthen the sector’s international reach. It is working to improve export channels and help beekeepers enter foreign markets. In addition, officials provide medicines to protect bee colonies from diseases.
Varroa mites remain one of the biggest threats to honeybees. Therefore, the ministry provides treatments to help beekeepers protect their colonies.
Research has also highlighted the quality of Kurdistan honey. PhD researcher Belan Othman found significant antioxidant and antibacterial compounds in local honey. Some findings also suggested that Kurdistan honey could outperform New Zealand’s Manuka honey in certain areas.
The Kurdistan Region produced about 645 tons of honey in 2024. The region began exporting honey to Qatar in November 2023 and later expanded shipments to other international markets.
The latest production forecast could further strengthen Kurdistan’s position in the global honey market.
