An overview of beekeeping in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In recent years honey bee colonies have been seriously affected by colony losses, with implications for their future existence. Much has been written about beekeeping, honey bee management practices, and colony losses in many developed countries, but relatively little has been written about these topics in Saudi Arabia. This overview provides a brief insight into races of honey bees and beekeeping in Saudi Arabia. It also examines some important factors which have an impact on beekeeping within Saudi Arabia, including climatic factors and availability of forage. The main challenges faced by beekeepers in Saudi Arabia are discussed. Some conclusions are that honey is a much sought-after product in Saudi Arabia, and it is important for the economy to be able to meet this demand. As a result of the lucrativeness of the beekeeping industry, many have taken up beekeeping, but the industry lacks an overall structure, and lack of information and communication amongst beekeepers can mean that issues are not easily resolved. Hence, there is a need to gain more in-depth knowledge of beekeeping in Saudi Arabia, and in particular to identify common practices and challenges faced, so that trends, solutions, and best practices can be identified. Identification of aspects of beekeeping in Saudi Arabia which could be improved will be beneficial to all stakeholders involved in beekeeping there.