STORY: Civil war threatens Yemen's prestigious honey industry
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 5, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 8, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:40
LOCATION: Sanaa
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of a honey fair in Sanaa, Yemen
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABDU OMAR HASHEM, Beekeeper from Hajjah province in north-western Yemen
3. various of a honey fair in Sanaa, Yemen
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MUNTASIR AL-AUADHY, Honey exporter
5. various of a honey fair in Sanaa, Yemen

STORYLINE:

Renowned globally for its unique flavor and quality, Yemeni honey has been a source of pride for the country. But beekeepers say they are struggling to maintain production amid a complex set of challenges.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABDU OMAR HASHEM, Beekeeper from Hajjah province in north-western Yemen
"The ongoing war has severely impacted beekeeping operations. Cut-off routes have made it nearly impossible to relocate hives, and the dramatic increase in fuel costs has caused widespread damage and losses among beekeepers. Pesticide overuse has also led to severe bee and hive losses."

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthis seized control of much of northern Yemen, forcing the internationally recognized government out of the capital Sanaa.

Traditional Yemeni beekeeping relies on nomadic practices, with beekeepers following seasonal flower blooms. However, the conflict has made this impossible due to the presence of unexploded ordnance and landmines.

Muntasir Al-Auadhy, a honey exporter, said that falling export demand, caused by economic sanctions imposed on Yemen's Houthi-controlled areas, has also hit the industry.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MUNTASIR AL-AUADHY, Honey exporter
"We are experiencing a substantial decline in honey exports. This downturn has led to a recession in the local market, which previously thrived on both domestic and international sales of Yemeni honey."

Before the civil war began in 2014, Yemen exported over 2,000 tonnes of honey annually. Yemen's honey production was 2.6 million tonnes in 2013, but plummeted to barely 1,500 tonnes in 2023, according to official data from the internationally recognized government in Aden.

Yemen's diverse climate and terrain give rise to a rich tapestry of honey varieties, many of which are considered among the world's finest. Cherished by locals as "liquid gold," Yemeni honey boasts a history spanning at least 3,000 years and commands premium prices globally.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sanaa.
(XHTV)