Chetumal to Host 32nd International Beekeeping Congress in 2026

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Chetumal will host the 32nd International Beekeeping Congress in 2026, officials announced, positioning the city as a global hub for honey production and bee conservation.

Jorge Carlos Aguilar Osorio, head of the State Department of Agricultural, Rural and Fisheries Development (Sedarpe), said the event will take place from June 30 to July 3 at the Chetumal Convention Center. The congress is organized by the National Association of Veterinarians Specialized in Bees (ANMVEA).

International Experts in Chetumal

Sostenes Rafael Rodríguez Dehaibes, president of ANMVEA, said the congress will feature speakers from France and Costa Rica, along with prominent Mexican researchers. The academic program will begin formally on July 1 after prior registration, offering keynote lectures and specialized training courses.

“It is very representative that Quintana Roo is the host, given its historical and productive importance in beekeeping,” Rodríguez Dehaibes said, noting that the state is a national reference in hive management.

Rescue of the Melipona Bee

A key focus of the congress will be the study of native bees, with emphasis on the stingless melipona bee. These species hold incalculable ecological and cultural value for the Maya region.

Many workshops will aim to highlight these pollinators, whose honey is highly valued in foreign markets for its medicinal and nutritional properties.

State Honey Competition

To engage the public, organizers will hold the First State Honey Competition of Quintana Roo. Attendees can participate in guided tastings and evaluate the quality of local products. The top three producers will receive official recognition, promoting direct commercialization and pride in regional production.