La Vie Miel, a Dominican honey brand founded and operated by beekeeper Nathaniel Lovell, won First Place in the category for International Honey at the UK National Honey Show hosted October 24-26th 2024.
The UK National Honey Show is the world’s largest and most prestigious honey show and has been operating for over 100 years. This year is the first time Dominica has competed and won in this competition which has entrants from countries around the world. The historic victory highlights the growing reputation of Dominican honey on the global stage and underscores the potential of Dominica’s beekeeping industry.
This latest achievement follows Lovell’s success in 2023 at the St. Lucia Honey Show, where his honey won Best Light Amber Honey, Best Dark Amber Honey, and Best in Show awards. Winning at both the regional and international levels is a significant personal milestone for Mr Lovell and is also a monumental step forward for Dominican beekeepers, opening doors for increased awareness and investment in the industry.
Lovell says he’s overjoyed at winning this award and stated that “I’ve always felt that our Dominican honey has very special and unique qualities and it feels great that this has been confirmed at the highest level. It makes me feel proud to represent my country and put Dominica on the map in this international arena”
Nathaniel is a full time beekeeper who manages 100+ beehives over 7 apiaries between Coulibistrie and Salisbury. La Vie Miel honey is seasonally harvested and sold in varieties which currently include Spring Honey, Summer Honey, Autumn Honey, Savonette Honey, Creamed Honey and Hot Honey which is infused with local hot peppers. Lovell also produces Mead which is a speciality honey wine.
La Vie Miel honey is sold locally in many stores in Dominica and is exported to St. Martin and Tortola.
Nathaniel Lovell is the current Vice President and Immediate Past President of the National Beekeepers Cooperative and a beekeeping mentor in the cooperative mentorship program. He is currently enrolled in the Master Beekeeper Program at University of Florida and is presently on the Advanced Beekeeper level of the training.
As the demand for sustainable and high-quality honey continues to rise, this recognition on the international stage marks a defining moment for Dominican honey and supports the expansion and development of beekeeping in Dominica.
