November 10 – 18, 2018 – featuring visits to apiaries, witnessing the rearing of queen bees, visiting honey processing plants, research centers, an agriculture center, and packaging plants. Visit with local beekeepers. This is a unique fully inclusive tour arranged with the cooperation of the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture and includes: island transportation, hotels, private homes, meals,and full touring program. The tour will include visits in and around Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Caonao and Santa Clara. For the complete itinerary and pricing, please contact: blubic@transeairtravel.com or call 202 362 6100.
Due to the success of last year’s tour, the trip is being repeated in 2018. Cuba is very successful in raising bees as no pesticides are used. Long known for its cigars and rum, Cuba has added organic honey to its list of key agricultural exports, creating a buzz among farmers as pesticide use has been linked to declining bee populations elsewhere. Organic honey has become Cuba’s fourth most valuable agricultural export behind fish products, tobacco and drinks, but ahead of the Caribbean island’s more famous sugar and coffee. All of Cuba’s honey can be certified as organic. After the collapse in 1991 of the Soviet Union, Cuba’s main trading partner, the island was unable to afford pesticides. By necessity, the government embraced organic agriculture, and the policies have largely stuck. Cuba has been immune to the bee die-offs hitting other regions.
