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Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive? An Insider Look

Honey is a delicious nature’s prebiotic food. It contains vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds that make it one of the healthiest foods on the planet. A very special type of honey, Manuka honey, has earned its reputation among all the honey lovers. It is produced in only one place of the world – New Zealand. The health benefits and rich flavour make it one of the most unique and popular honey type. However, its high price tag can leave some wondering why it is so expensive. Let’s dig deeper to find out more.

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey, sourced from the nectar of the Manuka bush in New Zealand and parts of Australia, is renowned for its powerful antibacterial and medicinal qualities. It is a unique and highly sought-after type of honey.

New Zealand provides the ideal conditions for the Manuka plant to thrive. The unique combination of soil, climate and environmental factors in this region contributes to the exceptional quality of Manuka honey.

One may note that Manuka only flowers 4 to 6 weeks every year, and can be easily affected by weather events, meaning that it has a limited and a relatively small supply.

Limited Supply

As described above, Manuka honey production faces challenges including variable weather patterns, including heavy rainfall or droughts, impacting the availability of nectar sources.

Only around 2,000 tonnes of Manuka produced in New Zealand a year (2023). This is not a lot of honey when you consider the demand worldwide.

As of recent estimates, the global demand for Manuka honey is approximately 20,000 tonnes per year. The 3 countries with the highest demand for Manuka honey are: China, US and UK. This substantial demand is driven by the honey’s unique health benefits, its use in various health and wellness products, and its growing popularity among the health-conscious consumers.

The huge discrepancy between this high demand and limited supply contributes to its premium pricing and ongoing market dynamics.

Remote Wilderness

While Manuka trees grow all around New Zealand, there are a limited number of areas with the really dense patches of Manuka needed to make pure Manuka honey (instead of a blend). These locations are difficult to access, so beekeepers often travel long distances to care for their bees. Harvesting honey in these locations often requires a helicopter.

If you are wondering why Manuka honey is expensive, just imagine how much a helicopter costs to hire for a day.

UMF Rating

Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) plays a vital role in determining the quality and pricing of Manuka honey. The UMF Honey Association is formed to uphold the standards of Manuka honey, and they have an established grading system to assess the honey’s purity and potency, and its freshness, authenticity and guarantee the potency for the duration of the shelf life.

Manuka honey can receive UMF ratings such as 5+, 10+, 15+, 20+ or higher. To higher the UMF ratings the more potent the honey. Consequently, higher rated Manuka honey commands a premium price due to its enhanced quality and potential health benefits.

Additionally, maintaining UMF certification involves significant costs, including annual fees and rigorous testing. These investments in quality assurance and certification contribute to the higher prices of high UMF-rated honey, as consumers are often willing to pay more for honey with verified superior potency and health benefits.

How about those honeys labelled as Manuka but with no UMF or MGO rating?

We call these honeys “Unrated Manuka Honey”. Honeys labelled as Manuka but lacking an official UMF rating usually comes cheap, as they do not provide the same assurances of purity and potency. The UMF rating system, managed by the UMF Honey Association, is designed to verify the concentration of the key bioactive compounds like MGO and ensure its authenticity.

Without this certification, there is no guarantee that the honey meets the high standards required for authentic Manuka honey. Consumers should be cautious, as these products might not offer the same health benefits or quality. Always look for the UMF label or certification to ensure the honey’s authenticity and potency.

How about those labelled as Multi-floral Manuka honey?

The multi-floral Manuka honey is often cheaper, as it combines nectar from multiple flowering plants. This blend will have less bioactive properties, and the concentration of the key compounds like MGO would not be consistent compared to single-floral varieties. Multi-floral Manuka honey will be a more affordable option, but it does not provide the same potency or therapeutic benefits as honey with a verified UMF rating.

Is Manuka honey worth the price?

Considering the numerous health benefits, rigorous laboratory testing to ensure its purity and ethical beekeeping practices, many individuals believe that the exceptional quality of Manuka honey justifies its price.

Manuka honey’s unique value lies in its superior antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, setting it apart from other honey types.

In Closing

At Hives Keeper, we guarantee what you order is what you receive, and they are 100% pure and raw high-quality honey. Nothing added and nothing subtracted. There are no added sugars, no additives, or artificial flavourings. Most importantly, one of the great things about purchasing from Hives Keeper is that you are receiving 100% authentic honey, no blends with cheap inferior products. They are straight from the hives.

Discover Hives Keeper’s honey now.

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