Beekeeping on the rise as demand for local honey grows

From backyard boxes to buzzing business ventures, beekeeping in Barbados is on the rise, offering both a sustainable source of income and a critical service to the environment. With growing public interest and structured training support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security, more Barbadians are suiting up and entering the world of apiculture.

According to Senior Agricultural Assistant at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security, Bernard Thompson, beekeeping, or apiculture, is no longer an activity limited to a few enthusiasts. “Bees are not just about honey. They’re vital pollinators responsible for many of the fruits and vegetables we eat. Without bees, many of our crops simply wouldn’t produce,” he explained.

Thompson noted that an apiary is the designated space where bees are kept, typically in boxes called hives. And while some may associate bees with large-scale farms, he said beekeeping does not require much space. “Even a quarter-acre of land is enough to start. You don’t need 50 acres. It’s a small footprint with big potential,” he added.

In recent months, the Ministry ramped up training efforts with the hope of spreading the word about apiculture. Just recently, 21 new participants completed a beginners’ course in beekeeping, while 16 others received advanced training. Sessions were facilitated by local expert David Small as well as international trainers from the University of Florida’s Bee College.

Among the new wave of trained apiarists is member at the Emergent Bees Apiculture Co-operative, Thora Cumberbatch.  She was part of the first beekeeping co-op of its kind in Barbados.

She said: “I’ve always had an interest in bees. Last year, I did the introductory course offered by the Ministry [of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security]. It was very intensive, and after the training, a group of us stayed together and formed the co-op.”

In Barbados, along with providing honey for consumption, beekeepers are crafting a wide range of value-added products, such as propolis throat sprays, beeswax candles, and soothing balms. These products are gaining traction at local markets and have potential for regional expansion, especially as consumers increasingly demand natural, chemical-free options. With some branding and proper packaging, local apiculture products could one day be featured in duty-free shops, or exported across the Caribbean.

“People don’t realise how much you can get from the hive. It’s not just honey; it’s a whole industry,” Cumberbatch asserted.

Stressing the importance of bee care and hive management, she noted, “Even if your bees aren’t producing honey, you still have to care for them. Bees have pests and diseases like any other livestock. The health of the hive is everything.”

On the financial side, the returns can be promising. Thompson noted that local honey currently sells for between $5 and $10 per bottle. “One deep super, that’s the top box in a hive, can yield up to 80 pounds of honey under the right conditions,” he explained. “If you do the math, and convert those pounds to ounces and then to bottles, the income potential is there, even from just one hive,” he pointed out. 

Bees play a key role in preserving Barbados’ natural landscape. By pollinating crops, trees, and flowering plants, bees help maintain biodiversity, improve crop yields, and support the ecosystem’s resilience. Beekeeping also reduces the carbon footprint associated with importing honey and fosters an agroecological balance that benefits farmers and gardeners alike.

As the island faces more erratic weather due to climate change, pollinators like bees help to secure food sources through consistent crop production. In this way, every hive contributes not just to income, but also to the island’s sustainability.

Barbados isn’t alone in recognising the potential of beekeeping. Other Caribbean countries such as Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica have invested in apiculture through national training programmes and farmer co-operatives. Globally, New Zealand has built a multimillion-dollar honey industry, led by its premium Manuka honey exports.

Barbados has the natural flora, public interest, and institutional support to become a leader in the Eastern Caribbean’s apiculture sector. With more trained beekeepers and a focus on quality production, the island could soon reduce its $1 million honey import bill, while empowering a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs. By expanding the local apiculture sector, the country could reduce its import bill but also ensure consumers have access to high-quality, raw Barbadian honey.

Interestingly, the colour and taste of honey may vary depending on what plants the bees are foraging. Bees that collect nectar from mango blossoms, for example, produce honey with a different flavour and colour from those pollinating wildflowers or breadfruit trees. This natural diversity adds to the uniqueness and appeal of local honey.

For those interested in getting started, Thompson has advised that proper training and mentorship are required. “You’ll need your protective gear, your hive tools, and, of course, your bees. But most importantly, you should connect with experienced beekeepers who can guide you,” he added.

Cumberbatch agreed stating: “It’s not just about putting bees in a box. You need to understand them, respect them, and care for them. Once you do, the rewards, financial and environmental, are worth it.”

Persons seeking more information about beekeeping or upcoming training opportunities should contact the Ministry of Agriculture’s Apiculture Unit at 535-5226, or the Barbados Agricultural Society at 436-6683. (BGIS)