Tunisian Beekeepers Face Tough Times Despite Annual Honey Festival

Beekeepers in Tunisia are struggling to produce honey due to climate change, pollution, and pesticides, despite the country’s rich tradition of beekeeping. The annual honey festival in Sidi Alouane celebrates the work of beekeepers across the region, but the challenges they face threaten the industry’s future.

Tunisia is home to over 300,000 hives, tended by around 13,000 beekeepers. However, many have seen their honey production drop significantly due to threats including climate change, pollution, and pesticides. Beekeeper Majid al-Khamari, who inherited his job from his father, says the three-year drought has made things even worse.

“It has forced us to move the bees from one place to another. There are 24 governorates, each with its own qualities,” he says. Other beekeepers, like Hichem Maatoug, lament the lack of medicine and nutritious food for the bees, adding that the state has not provided necessary supplies.

Despite these challenges, the annual honey festival in Sidi Alouane is a celebration of the region’s beekeeping heritage. This year, more than 20 exhibitors from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Libya will share their expertise and offer visitors delicious honey products to taste. Fathi al-Buhairi, president of the Arab Beekeepers Union, says the festival is crucial for marketing, introducing, and preserving the Maghreb heritage in Tunisia.

Exhibitors see the festival as an excellent marketing opportunity, highlighting the variety of flavors and honey products they produce. Bees also play a vital role in pollinating fruit trees, benefiting farmers who host the beekeepers. The festival in Sidi Alouane runs until August 15th, offering a chance to taste the best honey products and learn about the efforts of Tunisian beekeepers.

KEYWORDS: Tunisia, beekeepers, honey production, climate change, pollution, pesticides, honey festival, Sidi Alouane, Arab Beekeepers Union, Maghreb heritage