Apimondia 2025
2025-11-12
It’s hard to believe that just over a month ago we were searching the Bella Center in Copenhagen for our stand, then setting it up for the start of Apimondia 2025.
For those not involved in apiculture, Apimondia is the world’s largest apiculture conference. Held biennially, it attracts suppliers of beekeeping equipment, scientists, producers of honey and honey-related foods, and of course, beekeepers. This year, the conference was expected to be attended by 8,000 people.
dnature was there to engage with the industry about our PCR tests and kits for apiculture—specifically, our world-first swabbing method for AFB (American Foulbrood), or Ondartet bipest as it’s known in Denmark. John, our Technical Director, was invited to present our work on The Foster Method. He was miked up and translated into four different languages for an audience of around 1,500 attendees.
The programme of speakers—and deciding who to listen to—was a logistical challenge, with sessions spread across four days and multiple auditoriums. Presentation topics ranged from honey bee pathogens to honey authenticity, from RNA methylation as a biomarker for pesticides to using NGS to characterise honeybee viruses—and that was just on the first day!
The feedback on our work was hugely positive (and we’re not just saying that). We were approached by bee scientists and beekeepers alike, eager to learn more about our PCR test for AFB and our research on varroa resistance. Beekeepers appreciated the convenience of The Foster Method, while scientists valued its sensitivity and ingenuity. We always find it rewarding when people see how PCR can help solve a problem or improve their business.
Of course, the conference wasn’t all about us (😉). It was great to see other New Zealanders showcasing their honey, inventions, products, and research. Although New Zealand may seem to be in a negative space at the moment, at Apimondia we noticed that New Zealand—and New Zealanders—are held in high regard.
Between conversations with visitors to our stand, we were able to visit the World Honey Bar and sample a wide range of honeys—from stingless (very unique/not for us), chestnut, wild raspberry, linden, lime blossom, and more. There was a beeswax sculpture competition, honey mead on the menu, and awards for innovation, photography and printed materials.
Exhibitors ranged from a UK beekeeping supply company that has been operating for 140 years and supplies hives to Sir David Beckham (or David’s beekeeper), to Lithuanians selling bee bread extractors and candles, to ventilated bee suits from India, to Ukrainian beekeeping supplies—and these were just our immediate neighbours.
Apimondia 2027 will be held in Dubai, which promises to be slightly warmer than Copenhagen but, for those of us in the apiculture space, no less interesting. Perhaps we’ll see you there?
