Al dhaid: The second edition of the Al Dhaid Honey Festival will commence tomorrow at Expo Al Dhaid and is set to run until the 7th of December. Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), this event is designed to support the beekeeping sector, boost local production, and facilitate direct interaction between honey producers and consumers.
According to Emirates News Agency, this year's festival is gaining significant traction with participation from over 70 exhibitors. These include leading honey traders, beekeepers, specialised companies, and family-run businesses. The event underscores the rapid growth of the beekeeping sector and offers a platform for producers to display their premium honey products, exchange expertise, and adopt best practices to enhance production techniques, thereby bolstering the competitiveness of Emirati honey in both local and regional markets.
The festival's programme includes several competitions with valuable prizes to promote excellence among beekeepers. The official opening is scheduled for tomorrow at 4:30 PM, followed by the announcement of winners in the 'Best Sidr Honey' competition, which is divided into segments for UAE nationals and GCC participants. On Friday, winners of the 'Best Honeycomb' competition will be recognized, with the festival concluding on Saturday with the announcement of the 'Best Samar Honey' results.
All competition entries must meet specific technical standards and undergo strict evaluation criteria. This includes packaging honey in transparent unbranded glass containers to ensure impartiality. Advanced chemical and laboratory tests are also conducted to verify the honey's purity, detect defects, and ensure compliance with standard specifications, thereby enhancing consumer confidence and safeguarding the integrity of local production.
In addition to competitions, the festival will host a series of workshops and educational lectures for both visitors and beekeepers, aimed at enhancing knowledge of beekeeping and honey production. The event serves as an integrated platform that combines shopping, entertainment, and education, allowing visitors to taste and purchase premium natural honey directly from producers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the latest honey products and beekeeping equipment and indulge in immersive cultural and interactive experiences that highlight the festival's unique appeal.