Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has initiated the production of the 11th generation of Emirati queen bees, a move aimed at bolstering the beekeeping and honey production sector while decreasing dependency on imported bee packages. This effort underscores ADAFSA's dedication to ensuring the sustainability of Abu Dhabi's agricultural sector and enhancing the national food-security framework.
According to Emirates News Agency, ADAFSA has successfully produced ten consecutive generations of Emirati queen bees from 2015 to 2025, culminating in approximately 25,000 queen bees. Out of these, around 19,000 have been distributed to 613 beekeepers throughout the UAE. The production of the 11th generation commenced in March 2026, with 1,500 queen bees produced so far, and 850 distributed to 23 beekeepers. The ongoing production aims to yield 2,000 queens between March and May 2026, and an additional 3,300 queens during October-November 2026, targeting a total output of 5,300 Emirati queen bees within the year.
The program is instrumental to the sustainability of the UAE's agricultural sector, providing locally adapted, high-performing queen bees that enhance honey production and quality. Additionally, ADAFSA's initiative supports the production of premium Emirati honey varieties associated with the nation's natural environments, such as Samar, Sidr, Ghaf, mangrove (Qurm), Harmal, and wild-flower honey.
ADAFSA is also advancing the 'Abu Dhabi Honey' initiative to amplify the competitiveness of local honey by establishing quality standards and supporting beekeepers utilizing efficient local bee strains. To bolster these efforts, ADAFSA organized the Al Wathba Honey Festival in December 2025, which saw participation from 42 beekeepers and specialized companies, featuring eight competition categories with prizes totaling AED622,000.
On the international front, ADAFSA achieved notable success by securing three awards at the Paris International Honey Awards 2026, including gold for Sidr and Samar honey and silver for crystallized Ghaf honey. Emirati beekeepers also excelled, winning two platinum awards, 21 gold awards, and six silver awards.
In collaboration with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, ADAFSA has launched an initiative to allocate regulated sites for beekeepers within government-owned forests and natural areas, promoting pollinator protection, biodiversity, and sustainable honey production. The authority remains committed to organizing workshops, training courses, and scientific seminars on beekeeping, honey production, and pest control to develop a resilient and sustainable honey sector in the UAE.
ADAFSA has facilitated specialized workshops and scientific seminars on beekeeping and honey production, offering guidance on competition requirements for the Al Wathba Honey Festival and discussions on the UAE's hosting of the Apimondia Forum 2026 and the Apimondia Congress 2027.