Jordan’s Beekeepers Defy Odds To Produce World-Class Honey

Honey is a natural product that has been valued for its health benefits for centuries.

But in Jordan, honey has also become a source of income and pride for many beekeepers, who have seen their production and sales increase amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The rise of honey consumption during COVID-19

(Photo : KHALIL MAZRAAWI/afp/AFP via Getty Images)

Jordan's tourism industry, which accounts for about 15 percent of its gross domestic product, has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced the number of visitors and revenues.

However, the pandemic has also created an opportunity for another sector: beekeeping. 

According to Mohammad Rababaa, head of the Jordan Beekeeping Association, the demand for locally produced honey has clearly increased since the outbreak of COVID-19, as many people have turned to honey as a natural remedy to soothe their symptoms or boost their immunity, as per Phys.org. 

Even though there is no scientific evidence that honey can prevent or cure COVID-19, honey has long been praised for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which may help with sore throats, coughs and wounds. 

Rababaa said that the country's 4,000 beekeepers produce about 700 to 800 metric tons of honey annually, which covers about 70% of the domestic consumption.  

He said that Jordan is very close to achieving self-sufficiency in honey production and that imports should be stopped. 

Also Read: Basic Things You Should Know to Start a Beekeeping Business 

The diversity and quality of Jordanian honey 

Jordan is home to 19 different types of honey, depending on the plants that the bees pollinate.

These include citrus, eucalyptus, maple, thyme, clover and acacia varieties. Each type of honey has its own color, flavor and nutritional value. 

Rababaa said that the diversity of flowering plants in Jordan, which amounts to about 2,500 species, gives Jordanian honey a distinctive edge over other types of honey.  

He said that some varieties of Jordanian honey, such as the slightly bitter maple honey, have very high phenolic compounds and antioxidants, which indicate a higher therapeutic value. 

Jordanian beekeepers also pride themselves on the quality and purity of their honey, which they claim is free from any additives or adulteration. They use traditional methods of beekeeping and harvesting, and follow strict standards of hygiene and safety. 

Some beekeepers have also obtained organic certification for their honey, which means that they do not use any synthetic chemicals or antibiotics on their bees or hives.  

They also ensure that their bees feed on natural sources of nectar and pollen, and that their hives are located away from any sources of pollution or contamination. 

The challenges and opportunities for beekeeping in Jordan 

Despite the success and potential of beekeeping in Jordan, the sector also faces some challenges that limit its growth and development.  

According to a study by researchers from Al-Balqa Applied University, some of the major challenges are lack of bee forage, shortage of rainfall, agro-chemical poisoning, pests and predators, absconding and lack of honey storage facilities. 

The study also suggested some opportunities and recommendations to overcome these challenges and improve the beekeeping sector in Jordan.  

These include enhancing the awareness and knowledge of beekeepers on modern techniques and practices, providing financial and technical support to beekeepers, establishing cooperatives and associations to facilitate marketing and networking, promoting organic and quality-certified honey products, and protecting the natural resources and biodiversity that support beekeeping. 

Another opportunity for beekeeping in Jordan is to diversify the products and services that can be derived from bees.  

Besides honey, bees also produce wax, propolis, pollen and royal jelly, which have various uses and benefits.  

Moreover, bees can provide pollination services to crops and plants, which can increase their yield and quality. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on the beekeeping sector in Jordan, which has seen an increase in demand and production of honey.  

Jordanian beekeepers offer a wide range of high-quality and diverse types of honey, which they produce using natural and traditional methods.  

Honey is not only a source of health benefits for consumers, but also a source of income and pride for producers. However, the sector also faces some challenges that need to be addressed to ensure its sustainability and development. 

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