Beekeepers demand the opening of marketing windows and a reduction in the prices of the requirements for honey production

Damascus-SANA

The lack of spring rains this year led to the weakening of the floral cover, the main nutrient for beehives, which caused a state of concern among beekeepers in terms of honey production and marketing of its products for this season.

Dr. Bassam Nader, head of the Specific Association specialized in beekeeping and honey production of the General Union of Farmers, explained in a statement to SANA Economic Bulletin that the lack of rain led to the drying up of crops that form pastures for bees, while aniseed flowers accounted for 60 percent of the grazing situation in the governorates of Homs and Hama and formed a significant surplus in production Honey this year is more than the need of the local market.

Regarding the state of pastures, Nadhar said that the drought situation in Damascus countryside negatively affected beekeepers compared to previous years, and the citrus flowers were medium-blooming due to the lack of rain, while the nigella accounted between 10 and 15 percent of production, and eucalyptus flowers were few or almost non-existent due to the woodiness of most of their trees. Caraway, chestnut and almond are Intangible and was acceptable in sesame and sunflowers, indicating that the general situation of pastures and honey production is acceptable during the first half of this year, and it is expected that the second half will be difficult for beekeepers, especially in the mountainous areas and Damascus countryside.

He said: There are several factors that have negatively affected the production and marketing of honey, such as the rise in all production requirements and work from wooden hives, treatment and control materials, in addition to a significant increase in the costs of transporting beehives between governorates and the allowance for renting pastures, in addition to the exposure of cells to damage from fires and insects.

As for the marketing process, Nadr pointed out that the beekeeper himself markets his honey as a result of the association and breeders’ inability to market honey due to the lack of liquidity and the high price of it, as large traders determine its price by purchasing large quantities annually from producers directly and selling it in all governorates, indicating that the local and external market is capable of consuming the entire production Syrian honey all year round.

Regarding prices, Nadhar said that the price indicators are variable according to the factor of supply and demand and according to each beekeeper and the specificity of each governorate. The retail prices per kilo were recorded between 20 and 30 thousand pounds, and the most important selling outlets were malls, pharmacies, and some merchants and producers directly, pointing out the need to ensure the presence of the statement card or label on honey .

For their part, a number of beekeepers demanded the opening of external marketing windows for honey and its products, work to secure production requirements, reduce its price, establish laboratories specialized in analyzing honey, and reduce the spread of adulterated honey that is sold on the side of the road at cheap prices, which harms consumers and the production of breeders, indicating that the association follows up their work by establishing Monthly guiding seminars specialized in the marketing and production process, as well as allowing them to participate in local and Arab exhibitions of bee products.

It is noteworthy that the price of honey is determined according to its pasture and the region of its production. Citrus honey is the cheapest, while mountain honey is more expensive.

Bassam Al-Mustafa

SANA Economic Bulletin