Sweet buzz at second annual Honey Fest

The buzz was unmistakable at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) lawns earlier today, where local beekeepers and entrepreneurs gathered for the Ministry of Agriculture’s second annual Honey Fest, celebrated under the theme “Buzz Forward.”

For the exhibitors, the event was more than a showcase — it was a chance to tell their stories, share their passion, and show how determination and creativity are transforming Guyana’s growing honey industry.

Veteran beekeeper Neil Grant, who has spent over 15 years perfecting his craft, said Honey Fest provides valuable exposure for producers looking to connect with new customers and educate the public about their products.

“It’s exposure to a wider market, a wider clientele, we get a chance to interest with the public, to enlighten them about the various varieties, the different nuances of honey. A lot of people come and they ask why you have different shades of honey, so you’re able to educate them as to why that is so and I’d expect persons to get that knowledge and go away with it so they’ll know where to get quality honey from,” Grant explained.

For local producer Sonia Bachir, who has been in the business for four years, the event has become a platform to showcase growth and innovation.

“At this event last year we only came with honey but this year we expanded into soaps, body scrubs and candles, we also have an alcoholic beverage rum punch. Transportation is my biggest challenge and to hone in on persons who can assist, paid help that’s not available in this field,” she shared.

Another beekeeper, Sheon Chisholm, also spoke about her approach to making the most of what bees produce.

“From the honey you have all these other by-products so instead of using the bare honey and use the other stuff as waste you turn them into different by-products such as the soap and also the coconut is pollen source for the bees so we get into coconut and then you produce your coconut oil so, those are two things, one is by-product and one is pollen,” she said.

As exhibitors packed up their displays at the end of the day, there was a shared sense of optimism. Events like Honey Fest, they agreed, help the public understand the value of local honey and the creativity behind each bottle and by-product.