Photo of the opening day of the 7th Souq Waqif International Honey Exhibition, on January 22, 2026. ( All the images are taken by Mahmoud Elmazaty / The Peninsula)
Doha, Qatar: The seventh Souq Waqif International Honey Exhibition opened on Thursday at the Eastern Square, featuring honey and related products from 100 participating companies representing 20 countries.
In addition, the exhibition includes more than 50 bee-related products, including propolis, beeswax, pollen and royal jelly.
Organised by the Private Engineering Office, the exhibition runs until January 31, and is open daily from 9am to 12 noon and 4pm to 9pm.
Speaking on the occasion, Khaled Saif Al-Suwaidi, General Supervisor of the exhibition, said the event is not limited to commercial displays, but also places strong emphasis on quality control and public health, noting that strict measures are in place to ensure the safety and authenticity of products on display.
“We have rigorous monitoring procedures, including a permanent laboratory within the exhibition grounds,” he said, adding that the Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Public Health are also present and conduct random sampling to ensure compliance with regulations.
“Honey is a highly valuable food product that people of all ages rely on, and we are committed to ensuring its quality through proper testing and laboratory analysis,” he added.
Khaled Saif Al-Suwaidi, General Supervisor of the exhibition (right)and Assistant Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Private Engineering Office, Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Naama. This photo is by Souq Waqif.
Al-Suwaidi said a dedicated doctor is available throughout the exhibition to provide consultations or treatment. “Anyone with health concerns can visit the clinic, whether for advice, treatment related to bee stings, or alternative therapies using honey and bee products,” he said.
Participants include local honey farms in Qatar, GCC exhibitors, and international sellers from countries including Oman, the UAE, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Bosnia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Iran, offering a wide range of pure honey and flavoured varieties such as walnut, ginger, zaatar and herbal blends.
The exhibition features popular types including sidr, manuka and jabaly honey, as well as other well-known varieties such as acacia, wildflower, clover and eucalyptus.
The opening day drew large crowds of citizens, residents and tourists who came to taste different varieties and purchase local and imported honey.
Mohamed, a Canadian passenger stopping over in Doha, told The Peninsula: “I am here for a three-day transit and I was lucky to visit Souq Waqif on the opening day of the exhibition.”
He added: “It is my first time to experience this kind of exhibition that allowed me to taste all kinds of honey, and I have bought a lot for myself and as souvenirs.”
Another visitor, Aysum from Kazakhstan, said she learned about the exhibition while touring Souq Waqif.
“I never knew there were many kinds of honey before until I visited here and exhibitors helped me with explaining and educating,” she said, adding that she bought honey from a Kyrgyz seller and “overall, I loved the exhibition.”
Nada, a Qatari exhibitor, said her products are locally made at her farm in Al Shahaniya. “We have organic honey made in our farm,” she said, adding that flavours include sidr, ginger and walnut. She noted that prices vary depending on the type and jar size, ranging from QR80 to QR400.
Now in its seventh year, the exhibition remains one of Souq Waqif’s most anticipated seasonal events, attracting visitors seeking variety, trusted quality and the health benefits associated with honey and bee products.
