Najran, 25 Muharram 1448 AH corresponding to July 10, 2026 AD, SPA -- Honey and its derivative products are a promising economic resource in the Najran region, producing multiple types of natural honey, most notably Sidr, Talh, Samr, Salam, and Qarad, in addition to derived products including soap, creams, royal jelly, and propolis. Honey prices in the region range from 100 to 400 riyals per kilogram depending on type, quality, and presentation (strained or in combs), while derived products are witnessing growing demand, contributing to diversifying beekeepers' income sources and enhancing the economic value of the sector. The gold and platinum awards achieved by a number of Najran beekeepers in international competitions in recent years, including competitions in London, Paris, and the Best Arab Honey contest, reflect the sector's development in production quality and the local product's ability to compete globally. Initiatives implemented by the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Najran have contributed to spreading modern beekeeping methods, raising production efficiency, improving quality, as well as protecting the local honeybee strain from genetic contamination. These initiatives included delivering approximately 408 locally inseminated queen bees to 33 beekeepers in 2023 under the local bee strain protection project, in addition to supporting 20 beekeepers during 2026 through the 'Reef' program and providing them with modern tools to develop apiaries and reduce operational costs. Eng. Muraih bin Shar'i Al Shahrani, Director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Branch in Najran, explained that these efforts are part of the Ministry's programs to enhance sustainable agricultural development, empower beekeepers in rural areas, and raise production quality and quantity in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Meanwhile, Dr. Hadi Al Yami, a beekeeping and honey production expert and academic researcher at Najran University, reviewed his experience in transitioning from honey production to value-added industries related to hive products, including ointments, soap, and vinegar, noting that a number of beekeepers in the region have consecutively won international awards for honey quality. He indicated that beekeepers moving their apiaries between regions of the Kingdom according to flowering seasons contributes to production diversity and quality, starting with Salam and Samr honey and ending with Sidr honey. In the same context, several beekeepers affirmed that the achievements in honey quality competitions are a testament to the Saudi product's ability to compete and meet advanced standards, pointing out that the support from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and its programs have contributed to the sector's development and enabled its products to appear in international forums. // End // 18:38 TM 0097

Najran, 25 Muharram 1448 AH corresponding to July 10, 2026 AD, SPA -- Honey and its derivative products are a promising economic resource in the Najran region, producing multiple types of natural honey, most notably Sidr, Talh, Samr, Salam, and Qarad, in addition to derived products including soap, creams, royal jelly, and propolis. Honey prices in the region range from 100 to 400 riyals per kilogram depending on type, quality, and presentation (strained or in combs), while derived products are witnessing growing demand, contributing to diversifying beekeepers' income sources and enhancing the economic value of the sector. The gold and platinum awards achieved by a number of Najran beekeepers in international competitions in recent years, including competitions in London, Paris, and the Best Arab Honey contest, reflect the sector's development in production quality and the local product's ability to compete globally. Initiatives implemented by the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Najran have contributed to spreading modern beekeeping methods, raising production efficiency, improving quality, as well as protecting the local honeybee strain from genetic contamination. These initiatives included delivering approximately 408 locally inseminated queen bees to 33 beekeepers in 2023 under the local bee strain protection project, in addition to supporting 20 beekeepers during 2026 through the 'Reef' program and providing them with modern tools to develop apiaries and reduce operational costs. Eng. Muraih bin Shar'i Al Shahrani, Director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Branch in Najran, explained that these efforts are part of the Ministry's programs to enhance sustainable agricultural development, empower beekeepers in rural areas, and raise production quality and quantity in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Meanwhile, Dr. Hadi Al Yami, a beekeeping and honey production expert and academic researcher at Najran University, reviewed his experience in transitioning from honey production to value-added industries related to hive products, including ointments, soap, and vinegar, noting that a number of beekeepers in the region have consecutively won international awards for honey quality. He indicated that beekeepers moving their apiaries between regions of the Kingdom according to flowering seasons contributes to production diversity and quality, starting with Salam and Samr honey and ending with Sidr honey. In the same context, several beekeepers affirmed that the achievements in honey quality competitions are a testament to the Saudi product's ability to compete and meet advanced standards, pointing out that the support from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and its programs have contributed to the sector's development and enabled its products to appear in international forums. // End // 18:38 TM 0097