Low-quality honey imports take a toll on Kandahar beekeepers

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Beekeepers in southern Kandahar province say their business has been severely affected by the influx of low-quality and adulterated imported honey.

Meanwhile, the provincial Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock reports a significant increase in honey production this year.

Ahmadullah, a beekeeper in Arghandab district, said: “We produce pure and natural honey, but some traders are selling sugar-mixed products in the name of honey. This has harmed our income and must be stopped.”

He said artificial honey made from sugar was being imported from neighbouring countries and was often mixed with local pure honey by some vendors.

Abdul Bari, another beekeeper from Dand district, said: “People cannot distinguish between genuine and fake honey. The adulterated products are cheaper and therefore sell more. We want proper market access for our natural honey and a ban on fake alternatives.”

He called on the caretaker government to take firm action against the sale of substandard honey and to regulate the market.

Mohammad Yaqub, an employee at a honey farm, added: “I’ve been involved in beekeeping for ten years. In the beginning, we suffered many losses—many bees died. But with time and experience, we began producing quality honey. Unfortunately, we still lack a proper market, and the presence of fake products has badly hurt our sales.”

Similarly, Masood Shah Ahmadi, a honey trader, said: “In Kandahar and many other provinces, some vendors mix fake honey with genuine products or sell completely artificial honey made from sugar or other materials at low prices. This has severely damaged the market for Kandahar’s original honey.”

He called for the establishment of a laboratory to help identify genuine honey and distinguish it from counterfeit products.

In response, Mohammad Hanif Haqmal, spokesperson for the Kandahar Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, told Pajhwok Afghan News that honey production in the province was expected to double this year compared to last year.

He said an estimated 100,000 kilograms of honey would be produced in Kandahar this year, compared to 50,000 kilograms last year.

According to Haqmal, around 80 small and large honey farms are currently operating in Kandahar city and districts, providing livelihoods to dozens of families.

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