Honey festival: Healing, labor, and trust in one place

The proverb “Honey is unmatched; it cures a thousand ailments” resonates strongly at the traditional Honey Festival held in Tashkent from December 2 to 11. QALAMPIR.UZ visited the festival, held at the “Anhor” Recreation Park, to cover the event firsthand, provide essential information about honey, and share insights from both specialists and buyers.

Organized on the eve of the harvest season, the festival is a collaboration between the Beekeepers’ Association of Uzbekistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. Following recent reforms in the beekeeping sector, the number of entities engaged in beekeeping reached 35,000 in 2025, marking a 9 percent increase from 2024 and more than doubling compared to 2017. Against this backdrop, Bukhara native Yodgor Rajabov, a third-generation beekeeper, shared the health benefits of beeswax honey, which aids digestion, strengthens immunity, boosts energy, and nourishes and rejuvenates the skin.

“Beeswax honey covers the surface after processing. It is very beneficial for the liver and stomach, boosts immunity, and increases overall vitality. If consumed with bread, it passes through the digestive system and is excellent for treating stomach ulcers,” he said.

More than 400 honey producers from across the country and nearly 1,500 leading specialists in the sector are participating in the festival. Zebo Khola, who has been working in the field for nearly 40 years, said she has been able to support her family, educate her children, and secure homes through this work.

“We have been engaged in this business for 30–35 years. Under the leadership of my husband, our children, family, daughters-in-law, and sons all participate. My children and family members also work in state jobs, but after my husband retired, he devoted more time to beekeeping. We now produce honey in Jizzakh and Forish regions. Through this work, we have educated our children and secured their homes. Thank God, everyone has a car. Honey is a healing product. If you eat a spoonful each morning and drink half a cup of tea afterward, it rejuvenates you. You stay healthy and avoid illness in winter. Families who give honey to their children will spend less on medical expenses and remain healthy through the season,” she said.

Sherzodkhon Qudratkhoja, rector of the University of Journalism and Mass Communications, also spoke about his experience in beekeeping, noting that he is not new to the sector. He shared his favorite types of honey for personal consumption.

“When I first came, we had only one type of honey. Now, I am happy because ginger-flavored honey appeared during the pandemic. I really like it and consume it myself. There is also honey from the qushqonmas flower, which is good for the liver. I also enjoy ginger and walnut honey. I understand honey well and consider myself a beekeeper. At one point, I kept 15 families of bees—the most I’ve ever managed. Bees love care,” he said.

The festival also attracted distinguished guests from Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey, including professors from research institutes and experts with extensive experience. Experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) also attended, adding prestige to the event.

“For this event, we brought honey naturally produced in China’s vast regions with excellent climate and environment. Of course, Uzbekistan also produces natural, high-quality honey. However, the taste and sweetness differ due to variations in climate and local plants, which also slightly changes its health benefits. I am very pleased to participate in this honey festival held in Uzbekistan,” said Chinese entrepreneur Gaya Gatro Hall.

The full report can be viewed in the video player above or on QALAMPIR.UZ’s YouTube channel.