Over 50 Emirati beekeepers showcase products at 9th Hatta Honey Festival

The 5-day honey festival is part of the Hatta Winter initiative offering residents, tourists, and visitors an opportunity to explore honey varieties

The most anticipated winter’s festival, the Hatta Honey Festival, to support local entrepreneurs especially Emirati beekeepers in the honey production sector, has kicked off on Friday at Hatta Hall in Hatta Dubai.

The 5-day leading festival organised by Dubai Municipality has entered into its ninth year. Over 50 local beekeepers are taking part.

Aligned with the goals of the Hatta Master Development Plan, the festival is one of a series of initiatives that seek to enhance the area through economic and development projects, while fostering investment opportunities for the private sector.

The 5-day honey festival is part of the Hatta Winter initiative offering residents, tourists, and visitors an opportunity to explore diverse honey varieties and experience Hatta’s unique natural beauty, rugged terrain, and pleasant winter climate.

Recognised as one of the UAE’s and Dubai’s most sought-after tourist destinations, Hatta continues to strengthen its global appeal through initiatives like the Hatta Honey Festival, reinforcing its profile on the international tourism map.

After the official opening and touring the festival, Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, said “The Hatta Honey Festival is an integral part of Dubai Municipality’s efforts to enhance the region’s attractiveness as a tourist and leisure destination. It supports our commitment to developing facilities and tourism sites capable of hosting seasonal economic, recreational, and sporting events that strengthen Hatta’s position as a prominent destination.”

This year’s festival includes an auction where visitors can purchase a variety of honey types and a competition to determine the best Emirati honey, with valuable prizes awarded to winners in addition to workshops.

Talking to Gulf Today, Mohamed Seid from Al Khaleej Foods said that they are participating in the festival for a couple of years and it’s one of the best festivals to promote local production of honey of different varieties. “Visitors from Arabs to Emiratis are preferring three prominent varieties of honey -- Sidr, Samar and Mangrove – but Ghaf honey is also selling like hot cakes,” he said.

Abdullah from Al Qatara Natural Honey told that “we are participating since the first edition and besides offering a wide range of honey, we are presenting different products made of honey to promote locally produce honey especially farming in the Hatta and other parts of UAE,” he added.

Obaida, another participating honey farmer, told Gulf Today that they are presenting three major honey varieties produced locally in Hatta and well known among all visitors. “Every year we witness huge sale of honey, honeycombs and gift packs of honey in different weights,” he said.

The prices are varied, according to different varieties of honey produced in Hatta, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and other UAE areas where Emiratis set up different sizes of honey farms.

Many participants offer honey in different weight categories and gift boxes to entice the visitors of all age groups and nationalities.

It is also mentioned that the Honey Festival also features diverse activities, including five booths showcasing products from home-based businesses, ten educational workshops on honey production, and a stage for daily entertainment events featuring arts and folk groups, as well as dedicated play areas for children. In addition to these highlights, the festival also features dedicated sections for training workshops, auctions and competitions, home-based businesses, the Dubai Central Laboratory, and food security.

Ali Muhammad Al Baloshi, Chemical Analyst Laboratory Section Manager from Dubai Central Laboratory Department, Dubai Municipality told Gulf Today, “Dubai Municipality is providing extensive support for national beekeepers, including immediate testing of honey samples to ensure compliance with approved standards. Tests cover total sugars, glucose, sucrose, fructose, and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).”

The Hatta Honey Festival is one of the Hatta Winter initiative’s five festivals, which also include the Hatta Winter Festival, Hatta Cultural Nights, Hatta Agricultural Festival, and Hatta x DSF. These events spotlight Hatta’s growing profile as a must-visit winter destination, combining cultural, entertainment, educational and sports activities catering to diverse audiences.