OECS Honey Triumphs at the 2024 UK National Honey Show

Beekeepers from two OECS Member States celebrated a historic victory at the 2024 UK National Honey Show, the world’s most prestigious honey competition, held from October 24-26 in London. For the first time in the show’s century-long history, Dominica competed and won First Place in the International Honey category. La Vie Miel, a Dominican honey brand founded by beekeeper Nathaniel Lovell, brought home the coveted award in Class 9, marking an international recognition of Dominican honey’s exceptional quality.

Saint Lucia also made headlines, winning First Place in the “Best International Honey, Class 10: One Jar of Clear Honey” category. This marked Saint Lucia’s second consecutive year at the top, with award-winning honey from Vincent “JEG” Clarke of View Forte. Additionally, Emerald Farms of Soufriere took second place, and last year’s champion Donson Stanley placed fourth, with Saint Lucian beekeepers claiming three of the top seven positions. The only other winning entries came from South Africa, highlighting Caribbean beekeeping excellence on a global stage.

For Dominica’s Lovell, who operates over 100 beehives across seven apiaries, this international win builds on previous achievements, including top honors at the 2023 Saint Lucia Honey Show, which was supported by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission through the BioSPACE Project funded by the European Union (EU). His honey won awards for Best Light Amber Honey, Best Dark Amber Honey, and Best in Show.

“I’ve always felt that our Dominican honey has special and unique qualities, and it feels wonderful to have this recognized at the highest level,” said Lovell. “It makes me proud to represent my country and put Dominica on the map in this international arena.”

Lovell’s La Vie Miel brand, known for its range of seasonal honey and specialty products like Savonette Honey, Creamed Honey, and Hot Honey, is a testament to the diverse potential of Dominican honey. La Vie Miel is sold locally and exported to Saint Martin and Tortola, bringing the unique flavors of Caribbean honey to the world.

Saint Lucia and Dominica’s recent successes are a direct result of support for regional beekeeping initiatives like the Hewanorra (OECS) Honey Show, which began in 2021. The show, organised by the Iyanola Apiculture Collective with support from various international and regional agencies, provides OECS participants with opportunities to compete regionally and internationally. Richard Matthias, President of the Iyanola Apiculture Collective, remarked, “Beekeeping was one of the main economic drivers in the Caribbean for 200 years, and it is our hope to keep this tradition alive—not only for its economic benefits but also to support our people and the planet.”

These victories are a call to action for regional support and policies that protect the integrity and future of Caribbean honey production. Caribbean beekeepers have consistently championed the need for standardised testing and safeguards to protect the local market from the effects of adulterated, imported honey. The OECS and other stakeholders recognise that Dominican and Saint Lucian beekeepers have demonstrated the Caribbean’s capacity to compete on a global stage, underscoring the importance of continued investment and support in the industry.