Iran’s province of Ilam produces around 1,500 tons of honey annually

(MENAFN) The deputy head of Ilam province’s Agriculture Department, Sahrif Khodamoradi, shared that approximately 1,500 tons of honey are produced annually in the province. He noted that there are 1,900 apiaries with around 190,000 bee colonies in the area. This network of apiaries provides both direct and indirect employment for more than 6,000 people, contributing significantly to the local economy.

According to an official from Iran’s Agriculture Ministry, the country’s honey production per capita is estimated at 1.415 kilograms. Mohammad-Ebrahim Hassan-Nejad, the deputy minister for livestock products affairs, also mentioned that honey consumption per capita in Iran is 1.397 kilograms. Additionally, he revealed that 155,000 people work in Iran’s apiaries, which are spread across 94,932 apiaries nationwide.

Iran is recognized as the third-largest producer of honey globally, according to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The chairman of the Animal Science Research Institute, Mokhtar Mohajer, emphasized the potential for increased honey production, suggesting that production per colony should rise by three to four kilograms. He attributed this potential to the country’s diverse plant life and the rich pastures available across Iran.

In terms of bee-related products, Iran also produces substantial quantities annually. The country’s output includes 8,300 kilograms of royal jelly, 406 tons of pollen, 2,536 tons of beeswax, 247 tons of propolis, and 3,917 grams of bee venom. These figures underscore the importance of the apiculture sector to Iran’s agricultural economy.

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