Samoa Apiculture Organisation Inc

26/08/2026

🐝 SAO INDUSTRY NOTICE – PROTECTING THE VALUE & FUTURE OF SAMOAN HONEY

The Samoa Apiculture Organisation (SAO) would like to encourage all beekeepers and honey sellers to consider responsible and sustainable pricing of locally produced honey.

SAO has received feedback regarding extremely high price expectations for honey on a per 100g basis. While we strongly support beekeepers receiving a fair return for the considerable time, skill and cost involved in producing quality local honey, we also ask our members and the wider industry to be mindful of pricing that may be viewed as excessive by consumers.

The long term value of Samoan honey depends on consumer trust. Significant overpricing can lead to complaints, create unrealistic market expectations and ultimately damage confidence in our industry.

Our goal should be to build a strong and sustainable market where both beekeepers and consumers recognise the true value of locally produced honey.

This is particularly important at a time when Samoa continues to face significant biosecurity risks. Over pricing leads to illegal honey importation. Protecting our borders from exotic bee pests and diseases remains critical to the future of our industry.

One of the greatest threats is Varroa mite. If Varroa were to become established in Samoa, the consequences for our beekeeping sector could be devastating. Hive management would become considerably more complex and expensive, with ongoing treatment and monitoring required. For many of our small scale beekeepers, these additional costs could make maintaining their hives extremely difficult.

We therefore encourage our industry to think beyond today's price and consider the long term sustainability and resilience of beekeeping in Samoa.

Fair pricing. Strong consumer confidence. Vigilant biosecurity. A sustainable future for Samoan beekeeping.

Let us protect what we have. 🐝🇼🇸

26/08/2026

🐝🍯 Turning Beekeeping into Opportunity

Part 2
FAO Pacific Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa Waitika Farm Fiji

26/08/2026

🐝🍯 Turning Beekeeping into Opportunity

SAO in partnership under and FAO Pacific held Value Added Workshops and Train the Trainer Course during the 11th –18th August, facilitated by Jean Tikaram of Waitika Farm Fiji, brought together an incredible 78 participants from across Samoa at Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa facility.

Participants explored how we can create greater value from our beehives, learning to develop products using beeswax and honey, while also discovering the many other high value products and opportunities that can come from beekeeping.

The workshops were about more than making products. They were about building skills, sharing knowledge, encouraging innovation and showing participants how they can diversify their income beyond simply selling honey.

Most importantly, through the Train the Trainer course, we are building local capability so these skills can continue to be shared with beekeepers and communities throughout Samoa. 🇼🇸🐝

A huge thank you to FAO Pacific, , Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa, Jean Tikaram from Waitika Farm Fiji, and everyone who participated and helped make the programme such a success.

From the hive to new products, new skills and new opportunities. 🍯🐝🌿

Part 1

12/08/2026

🎉 20 participants successfully completed our Train the Trainer in Value Addition!

A huge thank you to everyone for a fantastic two days of learning, sharing knowledge and hands on training. We look forward to continuing to engage together as a group, sharing what we have learned and will learn along the way to be able to support our communities through value addition opportunities.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our donor FAO through the GAFSP Project, and SROS for their support and participation. Thank you so much to Jean Hutchison Tikaram of Waitika Farm Fiji who finds absolute joy in sharing her knowledge, skills and experience with others.

Congratulations to all 20 participants! 👏🌿🐝

11/08/2026

🐝 Building Skills, Sharing Knowledge & Growing Pacific Apiculture

Under the FAO GAFSP Project, Samoa Apiculture Organisation is excited to kick off our second round of training with Jean Tikaram of Waitika Farm, Fiji 🇫🇯🇼🇸 along with our partner SROS providing the training space.

Day 1 of our Train the Trainer 101 – Value Addition Training started off with a bang! Participants are undertaking two days of hands-on practical learning combined with theory, exploring ways to add value to beekeeping products and create greater opportunities from the hive.

The aim goes beyond the training room, participants will take the skills and knowledge gained back to their communities, sharing what they have learned and helping strengthen the capacity of beekeepers across Samoa.

📣 WORKSHOP REMINDER

For those booked into our upcoming Value Addition 1 day Workshops, where we’ll be learning how to make beeswax candles, lip balms and other value-added products, please don’t forget to:

🐝 Arrive by 9:00am
🐝 Register on arrival
🐝 Let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend so your place can be made available

We’re looking forward to another great round of hands on learning, sharing knowledge and discovering more ways to create value from our amazing bees and their products! 🍯🐝

FAO Pacific Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa Jean Hutchison Tikaram Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries - Samoa Samoa Women's Association of Growers Women In Business Development Inc Samoa Federated Farmers Incorporated.,

10/08/2026

📣 Only 6 spots left!

Don’t miss out on our final workshop — happening Tuesday, 18th August.

Secure your spot today! 🙌

📣 AUGUST WORKSHOP UPDATE

Due to popular demand we have added extra workshops as the first week has been fully booked!

These are the final two workshops on offer, so REGISTER NOW to avoid missing out.

06/08/2026

What a fantastic turnout at the Samoa Apiculture Organisation (SAO) AGM 2026! 🐝🍯

A huge fa'afetai to all of our members who attended and contributed to another successful Annual General Meeting. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and new members coming together to celebrate and support the future of beekeeping in Samoa.

One of the highlights of the evening was our Members' Honey Tasting Table, where everyone had the opportunity to sample the incredible range of honeys produced by our talented beekeepers. The positive feedback was overwhelming, and we're excited to make this a regular feature at future SAO events. With our upcoming Value Added Training, we can't wait to share even more innovative and exciting ways our members can diversify their hive products and add value to their businesses later this year.

A special thank you also goes to AsureQuality for delivering an informative presentation on the outcomes of their recent visit to Samoa. We sincerely appreciate the knowledge, expertise, and support you have shared with our beekeeping community during your time here.

Thank you to Fetu Leapai-Saili from Lele Homestead for sharing their journey and testimony. We look forward to hearing more insights from our members and learning from their journeys as active beekeepers.

As we farewell the AsureQuality and PIF team, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your commitment to strengthening Samoa's apiculture sector. We wish you safe travels home and look forward to welcoming you back to Samoa again soon.

Together, we're continuing to build a stronger, more connected, and more resilient beekeeping community.

05/08/2026

04/08/2026

📣Reminder📣AGM THIS EVENING