The Ministry of Agriculture is moving to expand Dominica’s beekeeping industry with the construction and distribution of over 580 new beehives to farmers across the island. The initiative is projected to increase national honey production by around 90%, strengthening the island’s foothold in what officials see as a lucrative and underdeveloped agricultural subsector.
Minister for Agriculture Roland Royer confirmed that materials for the hives have already been purchased and contracts signed with two local contractors. “We are going to construct over 580-something hives to give to the farmer to expand honey production,” he said, noting that the country’s current hive count stands at about 700.
A key part of the project includes establishing a queen bee rearing facility at the ministry’s Londonderry station. Minister Royer explained that consultations with beekeepers revealed the need to increase the supply of queen bees to support hive productivity. “We were able to purchase all the material to build a queen bee rearing facility… so we can provide them with queen bees,” he added.
The minister also pointed to global market opportunities, highlighting the challenges posed by counterfeit products. “Actually, 30% of the honey traded globally is fake honey. So there’s room for us in Dominica to provide our pure Dominican honey and take advantage of this lucrative subsector,” he said.
With contracts in place and materials on the way, the ministry expects construction of the hives to begin soon. The expansion is part of the government’s broader push to diversify agriculture, create rural income opportunities, and position Dominican honey as a high-quality export.
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