Oman registers sharp rise in honey production

Muscat: Oman’s apiculturists have been urged to participate in the sixth Annual Honey Souk.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries say the festival, organised to boost honey production and sales, will be held for four days and was launched at the Muscat Grand Mall yesterday.
The Sultanate has seen a sharp rise in honey production and the number of beekeepers, according to government records.
The country produced 414,546 kilograms (kg) of honey in 2014, up from 23,793 kg in 2011, with the number of breeders also rising from 2,681 in 2011 to 4,116 in 2014. The honey’s sale will continue from 10am to 10pm, officials said.
The participants have been told to bottle the honey in new glasses with proper labelling for the honey market.
The ministry is offering free space for the souk and will have the right to accept products or reject those that do not fulfil the relevant conditions. Apiculturists or honey traders have been asked to register at the regional agricultural development centres or at the ministry in Muscat.
Last year, about 40 beekeepers from different governorates of the Sultanate participated in the fifth Omani Honey Market. The price of Omani honey varies according to quality, age, availability and demand. Prices begin from OMR60 and can go beyond OMR100. Eid pushes the demand further as local Omanis consume meat and honey, or a local dish called ‘Al Joula’ in which honey is a major ingredient.