AAA Conference – Jeddah, April 2016

The 13th Asian Apiculture Association Conference was held in April in Saudi Arabia – the first time for this Conference to be held in an Arab member country, and smoothly organised by the Bee Research Chair of King Saud University. The Conference was attending by people from 35 countries, presenting talks and participating in the trade show.

President of AAA, Prof. Siriwat Wongsiri (centre) with Secretary General Dr. Chen Li-Hong (left) and Professor Ahmad Al-Ghamdi, supervisor of the Abdullah Bugshan Chair for Bee Research at King Saud University

Photos © Bees for Development

Keeper of local, indigenous bees, Mr Ahmed Abid Orabi, presents his company, Orabi Honey

An Eritrean beekeeper living and working in Saudi Arabia, selling honey comb from local style hives

The trade event was held in the elegant surroundings of Jeddah Hilton Hotel

Mr Zuher Fatami is another keeper of indigenous bees – he can identify four separate types of local bees, which he manages in simple cylindrical hives. Honey harvested from these bees sells at premium price – maybe some of the most expensive honey in the world, retailing at prices of up to US$ 600 per kg.