The 2025 OECS – CARICOM Beekeepers Honey Show was a featured event at the recently concluded Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), which was held in Basseterre, St. Kitts. This honey show was the fifth held within the Caribbean, and it brought together top beekeepers and apicultural artisans from across the region. The event showcased the exceptional quality, creativity, and technical skills of sixty (60) apiculture practitioners from fourteen (14) CARICOM states.
This year’s OECS – CARICOM beekeepers Honey Show had three main elements: (i) plenary and technical presentations, (ii) Caribbean honey show competition and (iii) regional apiculture policy.
Plenary and Technical Presentations
The opening plenary, held on 1 October 2025 at 1:30 p.m., featured a series of insightful technical presentations exploring the scientific, economic, and practical dimensions of apiculture across the Caribbean and the wider Americas. Presenters shared valuable findings and innovations aimed at strengthening the beekeeping industry while enhancing honey quality, traceability, and sustainability.
Dr. Benjamin Poirot presented on the application of multivariate analyses to determine the geographic origin of honeys across the Americas, advancing traceability and authenticity in the marketplace. Dr. Elian Tourn and Damien Hinds highlighted the progress of the ApiCaribe initiative since 2019, emphasizing regional collaboration, capacity building, and technology transfer. Dr. Faisal Mohammed discussed honey research and testing methodologies at UWI St. Augustine, focusing on quality assurance, laboratory support, and standards alignment. Ms. Joanne Husbands and Ms. Brodi Louis of CYEN shared results from an OECS economic scoping study quantifying the apiculture sector’s contribution to regional economies and environmental resilience. Finally, Shirley and Richard Bond delivered an engaging demonstration on the use of microscopy to trace pollen sources and better understand bee foraging behaviour.
Collectively, these presentations underscored the importance of research, monitoring, and collaboration, emphasizing the critical role of science and innovation in shaping data-driven policies to strengthen Caribbean apiculture.
Caribbean Honey Show Competition
The competition was one of the largest in the five years that the honey show has been running, with 200 entries submitted. It was presided over by Head Judge, Mrs. Shirley Bond and her husband Mr. Richard Bond, both esteemed members of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA). Their vast experience, professionalism, and dedication were instrumental in ensuring the highest standards of evaluation across all entries.
Assisting in the meticulous coordination of exhibits was Show Secretary, Richard Matthias of Saint Lucia and Show Steward, Mr. David Small of Barbados, whose commitment and organizational skills ensured a smooth and well-managed judging process. Their efforts contributed greatly to the efficiency, fairness, and success of the event.
Head Judge Mrs. Shirley Bond of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) provided detailed feedback to help exhibitors further improve the quality and presentation of their products. She commended the overall high standard of entries, noting that the winning exhibits reflected exceptional care and attention to detail. However, she also highlighted several areas for improvement to ensure continued progress in regional honey show standards.
Mrs. Bond concluded her remarks by commending all exhibitors for their dedication and the evident progress in Caribbean apicultural standards, expressing confidence that future shows will see even higher levels of technical excellence. The full results for the honey show are listed below:
Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis emerged as strong performers, with multiple gold and silver awards across several categories. Saint Lucia demonstrated strong participation and craftsmanship, earning podium finishes in chunk honey, honey cocktails, and photography. The island continues to be a leader in apicultural training and product development through the Iyanola Apiculture Collective. The AXA Beekeepers Collective (Anguilla) showed commendable consistency in the honey and culinary divisions. St. Vincent & the Grenadines excelled in mead and beeswax craftsmanship whilst Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada distinguished themselves in innovation and value-added product development.
Progress Toward a Regional Apiculture Policy in the OECS
In 2024, during the 12th Biannual Caribbean Beekeepers Congress (CBC12) held in Saint Lucia, members of the Association of Caribbean Beekeepers’ Organizations (ACBO) compiled a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening the apiculture sector across the Caribbean. These recommendations, collectively known as the Gros Islet Declaration, outlined strategic actions to enhance productivity, sustainability, and regional collaboration within the industry. The declaration was subsequently submitted to the OECS Commission for consideration.
In 2025, the OECS Commission, in partnership with the GEF Small Grants Programme UNDP (Saint Lucia), FAO, ACBO, Iyanola Apiculture Collective (IAC), and CYEN, launched a project to develop a Sub Regional Apiculture Policy and Work Plan. Consultant Dr. Floyd Homer conducted in-depth consultations, data collection and results validation across OECS Member States, engaging stakeholders at every level of the beekeeping value chain.
By September 2025, Dr. Homer successfully completed the draft OECS Apiculture Policy, which was formally presented to the OECS Ministers of Agriculture during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture. It is now anticipated that OECS Member Governments will review and align with the policy framework, leading to its formal ratification by the Ministers of Agriculture. This policy represents a pivotal step toward advancing apiculture as a driver of biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development in the region.
Conclusion
The 2025 OECS–CARICOM Beekeepers Honey Show highlighted the impressive growth, quality, and innovation emerging from the Caribbean’s apiculture sector. More than a celebration of excellence in honey and hive products, the event reinforced regional collaboration among beekeepers, producers, and supporting institutions. Demonstrating that Caribbean apiculture is not only thriving, but evolving into a model of sustainability and innovation.
What began as a seed planted in Saint Lucia in 2021, through the support of the GEF Small Grants Programme UNDP (Saint Lucia) and the Saint Lucia Ministry of Agriculture, has blossomed into a regional movement that continues to unite Caribbean apiculturists under a shared vision of excellence and sustainability. CARICOM, The British Beekeeping Association (BBKA) and the OECS have endorsed the Honey Show becoming a regular offering of CWA going forward.
An important outcome of the Caribbean collaboration amongst beekeepers is the collective OECS honey brand, “IGNERI,” honoring the region’s first peoples, but also spurred the emergence of new honey shows and apiculture initiatives across the Caribbean. For the 2025 Honey Show, beekeepers from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines created a gift set of honey from their islands, which were presented to Ministers and other dignitaries at the event. This was the first time that regional beekeepers collaborated on a collective honey product and this was well recognized at the event.
Another important outcome of the beekeepers’ collaboration is the evolution of new honey events across the Caribbean. Dominica recently launched “Honey in the Town,” an event celebrating honey tasting, value-added products, and children’s educational activities. Meanwhile, Guyana will close the month of October with “Honey Fest,” organized by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA). A dynamic blend of technical presentations, competitions, and retail opportunities for local producers.
Together, these initiatives underscore a shared regional commitment to advancing apiculture and enhancing honey production. The success of the OECS–CARICOM Beekeepers Honey Show would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of those working tirelessly behind the scenes. Special appreciation is extended to successive judging and stewarding teams for their professionalism and dedication in upholding the highest standards of Caribbean apiculture. Gratitude is also conveyed to the Government and Ministry of Agriculture of St. Kitts & Nevis, the OECS Commission, the CARICOM Secretariat, and all international agencies who continue to champion apiculture, rural development, and biodiversity conservation.
Together, these efforts ensure that the torch of Caribbean apiculture burns ever brighter. Illuminating a path toward sustainability, innovation, and prosperity for generations to come.