WBA

Changes in the World Beekeeping Awards and a celebration of honey.

Beekeepers, scientists and interested parties from across the globe will assemble in Copenhagen, Denmark in September of 2025 for the 49th Congress of Apimondia. We will celebrate honey in many ways at the Congress, but honey will no longer be a category, and thus no honey judging, in the World Beekeeping Awards (WBA). This change, to remove honey as a category in the WBA, was necessitated by the inability to have honey fully tested for adulteration and make awards at the Congress. The lessons learned from Canada 2019 and Chile 2023 were that adequate testing was impossible if we are to award winning honey at the Congress. Thus, from Copenhagen forward we will look to celebrate honey by promoting regional honeys via a “honey map” in the areas where the Congress is held (Scandinavia in 2025). This “Regional Honey Map” will showcase the unique honeys in the regions with descriptions of floral source and flavor notes. To encourage participation, we plan to include a wooden token in the registration packet such that you can register your preference for the honey you find most appealing after you do a tasting at the Regional Honey Map. Additionally, other means to celebrate honey can be added such as a “Honey Bar” that the Local Organizing Committee of Scandinavia explains below. Just because we won’t award any medals for honey in the WBA does not mean that we are not focused on showcasing great honeys from the region and the world. See more details below:

THE GLOBAL HONEY BAR - Every Taste is a journey!

Join us at Apimondia 2025 in Copenhagen and set off on a delightful journey through the world of honey. At The Global Honey Bar, you’ll get the chance to savor honeys from every corner of the globe. Each Apimondia member state is invited to showcase a selection of their finest and most beloved honeys for everyone to enjoy. Participating countries will also have the exciting opportunity to host their own honey stands , sharing the unique stories and exquisite qualities of their local varieties with visitors. The Global Honey Bar promises to be a fantastic event filled with honey tastings, exploration of global honey diversity, and exciting interactions among beekeepers.

Regional honey map

We are excited to invite you to Scandinavia’s Honey Map – an interactive map where you will experience honey in a whole new way. Discover the unique flavours of Scandinavian honeys. Explore how the (unique) geographical and climatic conditions in Scandinavia influence the taste of honey and get to know the stories behind the honey from our region. This journey gives you a taste of Scandinavia and a deeper understanding of our connection to nature. Enjoy the experience!

Global Honey Talks and Workshops

We are excited to invite you to our Global Honey Talks and Workshops, a series of sessions that will explore the fascinating world of honey through different perspectives:

• Sensory Exploration – Dive into the rich world of honey with its diverse flavours through honey sensory analysis, learn to taste and identify unique characteristics.
• Honey Production – Learn about different perspectives of the honeymaking process, from hive to jar, and explore both traditional and modern methods used around the world and in Scandinavia.
• Honey Considerations – Understand the important factors that influence honey quality, including ethical practices, purity and consumer choices.
• Workshops with Beehive Products – Participate in hands-on workshops that showcase various beehive products and learn how to incorporate them into your life.

The Global Honey Talks and Workshops will offer both valuable knowledge and hands-on experiences. Whether you're a honey enthusiast, a beekeeper or simply curious, this series will inspire, educate, and connect you to our global community around the wonders of honey.

With the Global Honey Bar, Global Honey Talks and Workshops and Scandinavian Honey Map we want you to enjoy and explore the wonderful world of honey while sharing ideas and stories with beekeepers from around the world.

Explore the crucial role honey production plays in maintaining biodiversity. By being united in the challenges beekeepers all over the world are facing, we can find solutions and together create a positive impact. Let us Bee United - in Scandinavia

So, as you can see from the above descriptions of the Regional Honey Map and the Honey Bar, we plan to celebrate honey from all parts of the world. Come prepared to savor some unique honeys and talk with other beekeepers who have produced the honey. Lastly, don’t forget to enter your wax or mead or other bee related items in the World Beekeeping Awards. Honey is at the heart of all we do with bees, come celebrate it in Copenhagen.