Vincent “JEG” Clarke captures Most Points in Show as Saint Lucia continues its tradition of regional and international excellence in honey production.
Saint Lucia has once again demonstrated the strength of its apiculture sector, with veteran beekeeper Vincent “JEG” Clarke securing the prestigious Most Points in Show award at the 3rd CARICOM Honey Show, held in Suriname from 6–8 November 2026.
The competition formed part of the 13th Caribbean Beekeepers Congress, bringing together beekeepers, technical specialists and agricultural representatives from across the Caribbean.
Clarke emerged as the competition’s leading exhibitor, accumulating 10 points through two first-place and two second-place finishes:
- First Place — Light Amber Honey
- First Place — Dark Amber Honey
- Second Place — Medium Amber Honey
- Second Place — Beeswax Block
His success demonstrates excellence across several distinct characteristics of honey and beeswax production, rather than relying on a single winning exhibit. His victories in both light and dark honey underscore the diversity and quality of Saint Lucian honey.
A Growing Tradition of Excellence
Saint Lucia has steadily established a reputation for producing internationally competitive honey, supported by generations of experienced beekeepers, improving production practices, technical training and an increasingly strong culture of competitive exhibition.
Clarke has consistently contributed to this success. At the 2025 CARICOM Honey Show in St Kitts and Nevis, he secured second place in Chunk Honey and third place in Honey Cocktail. At the 5th Hewanorra National Honey Show in December 2025, he captured the coveted Best in Show award with his Medium Amber Honey. His latest victory further consolidates his standing among Saint Lucia’s most accomplished competitive beekeepers.
Donson Stanley: Taking Saint Lucian Honey to the World
Another important figure in Saint Lucia’s international reputation is young beekeeper Donson Stanley of Soufriere, whose achievements demonstrate that locally produced honey can compete on the world stage.
In 2023, Stanley received the prestigious Medal of Ukraine at the UK National Honey Show, recognising his honey from Diamond, Soufriere, as the best exhibit in its category from outside the British Isles. This achievement brought international attention to the exceptional quality and distinctive characteristics of Saint Lucian honey.
Stanley has continued to compete internationally. At the October 2026 UK National Honey Show, he received a Commended award, while Saint Lucia’s Emerald Farm achieved fourth place in another category. At this year’s CARICOM Honey Show, Stanley added another regional distinction, placing second in the Mead (Honey Wine) category.
Saint Lucia’s Wider Success in Suriname
The island’s achievements extended beyond Clarke and Stanley. Sabrina Romulus captured first place in Adult Art, while Dinah Francis secured second place in Honey Cake. Other successful exhibitors included Leon Theodore John, who placed third in Commercial Product – Honey, and Azura Salton, who secured third place in Junior Art.
These achievements reflect an apiculture sector whose contributions extend beyond honey production into value-added products, creative expression and a wider honey-based economy. The overall Best in Show award went to Cherith Irvine of Trinidad and Tobago, while Clarke’s 10-point performance secured Saint Lucia the distinction of producing the competition’s highest-scoring individual exhibitor.
From Hewanorra to the Caribbean
Saint Lucia’s influence on regional honey competitions extends beyond individual achievements. In 2021, the Iyanola Apiculture Collective (IAC) with GEF SGP UNDP (Saint Lucia) Funding, initiated the Hewanorra National Honey Show to promote honey quality, strengthen standards and recognise local beekeepers.
What began as a national initiative subsequently expanded into an OECS competition, attracting participants from neighbouring territories. These competitions provide a pathway for Caribbean beekeepers to benchmark their products, improve quality and prepare for international events such as the UK National Honey Show.
Building a Competitive Caribbean Honey Industry
The regional honey show represents considerably more than trophies and medals. It encourages innovation, improves product quality and demonstrates the economic potential of apiculture.
ACBO, working with regional and international partners, including IICA, GEF Small Grants Programme UNDP, and IAEA, continues to advocate for stronger honey authentication systems, improved bee health management, technical training and policies supporting a competitive regional industry.
The OECS Apiculture Policy and Workplan, approved by the region’s Ministers of Sustainable Development and awaiting ratification by Ministers of Agriculture, represents an important opportunity to advance these objectives. Scientific initiatives involving honey authentication, botanical identification and traceability are also creating possibilities for distinguishing authentic Caribbean honey in premium markets.
For Saint Lucia, these developments reinforce the importance of establishing a dedicated centre of excellence through the proposed MaKoté Apiculture Research & Learning Institute (MARLI). Such an institution could provide a focal point for applied research, technical training, honey quality assurance, biodiversity conservation and innovation, helping translate Saint Lucia’s competitive achievements into lasting industry development.
The message from the 3rd CARICOM Honey Show is clear: Saint Lucia may be a small island, but its beekeepers continue to demonstrate that they can compete with the very best.