As New Zealander honey producers continue to capitalize on the trend of manuka honey, more and more consumers often wonder, “Why is manuka honey so expensive?” In short, it's Economics 101: supply and demand.
Jump to:
- Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive: Limited Supply
- Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive: Short Flowering Window
- Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive: Laboratory Testing
- Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive: MGO Grading System
- Why Is Manuka Honey So Expensive? Import Costs
- Is Manuka Honey Worth the Money?
- Watch Out For Fake Manuka Honey
- Conclusion
Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive: Limited Supply
First, manuka honey is so expensive because of its limited availability. For the longest time, exclusive to New Zealand, manuka honey comes from the manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) and its manuka flowers.
However, since 2021, Australia has claimed the term “manuka honey” as well. Even so, this victory may be short-lived as New Zealand continues its fight to reserve manuka as its own.
Even though Australia currently produces “manuka” honey, many manuka lovers prefer only the sweet nectar of New Zealand manuka flowers.
Nonetheless, genuine manuka honey comes from a very limited geographical area, contributing to its extremely limited supply. You will only find the manuka bush in these areas.
The Leptospermum scoparium tree is only native to Australia and New Zealand.
Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive: Short Flowering Window
The manuka plant only flowers for a short period consisting of two to six weeks out of the year. This contributes to the limited supply of manuka honey.
The European honey bees (Apis mellifera) have less than twelve weeks to produce enough manuka honey to supply the entire world. This requires finely skilled beekeepers to keep their hives in check throughout this process.
Just before blooming season, beekeepers move their apiaries to a high-concentration area near a bordering native forest or isolated hills within. This ensures the bees can forage the manuka flower as soon as the nectar becomes available.
Forager bees collect nectar from the manuka flower and pass it to younger hive bees. The hive bees then deposit the nectar into the honeycomb.
At the end of the season, the hives are transported out, and the honey is extracted from the comb and placed in jars. Each batch is given a full set of laboratory tests to determine its MGO content.
Not All Manuka Flowers Are Created Equal
Not all manuka flowers contain the same individual natural compounds, which is why there's such a wide spectrum in the UMF rating system.
Just like one human is different from another, each manuka flower to the next will contain varying degrees of constituents:
- flavonoids
- tannins
- triterpenes
- volatile oils
To obtain the best honey, beekeepers strive to ensure their busy bees only pollinate the manuka flower. When bees pollinate other flowers or other plants, they produce polyfloral honey, which isn't quite as efficient.
Monofloral manuka honey is a very special honey containing much higher concentrations of the magic ingredient, methylglyoxal.
Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive: Laboratory Testing
Every batch of manuka honey requires laboratory testing for key chemical markers, and there are only two labs in the region. There are also two distinct tests that each batch receives.
First, manuka honey is tested for its methylglyoxal (MGO) concentration. This is the compound that identifies the potency of the antibacterial activity. Every jar of genuine manuka honey has an MGO number that identifies the amount of methylglyoxal in mg/kg.
Additionally, it is tested for its unique manuka factor, which measures the degree of antibacterial activity. The higher the UMF grade, the more therapeutic the jar of manuka honey.
Furthermore, just like a fine wine ages over time, MGO levels also increase over time. Some manufacturers let their manuka honey age for a year or two before shipping it to retail outlets.
Ultimately, laboratory testing adds to any company's production costs, and this expense is no doubt passed on to the consumer.
Why is Manuka Honey So Expensive: MGO Grading System
Methylglyoxal is one of manuka's unique properties, and it's exclusive to real manuka honey. The European honey bees are only able to produce methylglyoxal through the harvesting of the manuka flower.
It's the methylglyoxal that provides the extraordinary benefits of manuka. The highest quality manuka honey is a monofloral honey that produces a higher concentration of MGO when compared to multi-floral manuka.
The higher the MGO number, the more effective the antibacterial properties, which contributes to its overall benefits. Subsequently, the more concentrated the honey, the higher the price.
Monofloral manuka honey produces some of the most coveted and sought-after honey in the world. Its health benefits are well documented by scientists and medical professionals alike.
Multifloral manuka honey typically has a lower MGO rating system, but you can still reap some of the benefits from this unique honey.
Lower MGO Manuka Honey for Daily Use and Dietary Supplement
Manuka honey with an MGO of 0-30 provides many benefits and is a wonderful option for daily use and general well-being.
From health and beauty routines to sore throats, MGO 0-30 carries the same qualities as regular honey and can be used the same as raw honey, even though it's still considered a rare commodity.
An MGO of 30-100 also has many health benefits for daily use and is considered a medium-quality manuka honey. Whether used for wellness and beauty routines or to boost the immune system, it can kill bacteria and relieve symptoms of various ailments the same as regular honey.
Low to medium-grade manuka honey can be used to reduce inflammation and is noted to be helpful with skin healing.
Higher MGO Manuka Honey for Bacterial Infections
One of the best benefits of manuka honey is its ability to heal wounds and infections. Manuka honey with an MGO 250+ will fetch top dollar due to its superior healing qualities.
Manuka honey with MGO 550+ has superb antibacterial and antioxidants sufficient enough to improve digestive health issues, including constipation, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal problems.
Manuka honey with MGO850+ is the gold standard for serious wound healing and infections. This high-quality manuka honey has extremely high antibacterial activity concentrations, so much so that the FDA has approved its usage to enhance wound healing.
Why Is Manuka Honey So Expensive? Import Costs
Because manuka honey is geographically limited, unless you live in Australia or New Zealand, it has to be imported to other countries. Goods that move across international borders are typically subject to import taxes, which can result in hefty fees.
This added cost is traditionally passed on to the consumer, making an already expensive product even more expensive.
Is Manuka Honey Worth the Money?
If you've ever heard the adage that you get what you pay for, then manuka honey fits the bill. Its superior healing qualities are researched and proven to be more effective than clover honey, local wildflower honeys, or any other honey produced elsewhere.
Every jar of manuka honey produced will be stamped with a certification of authenticity. That's not to say that other honey doesn't have its place in the world, but if you want the best of the best, it usually comes with a price.
Only you can decide if the cost is worth the benefit. To date, however, you won't find another honey that offers better health benefits.
Watch Out For Fake Manuka Honey
If you're buying manuka honey, make sure it's the real deal. New Zealanders only produce about 1700 tons of manuka honey each year. Yet, somehow more than 10,000 tons are being sold.
That means you have some counterfeits floating around, so be sure to verify your honey's authenticity.
What Should You Look For?
To guarantee you are truly purchasing authentic manuka honey, there are a few key identifications to look for. True manuka honey contains all of these markers.
UMF Factor
The only certification that matters is the Unique Manuka Factor, which is directly proportional to the level of methylglyoxal. Subsequently, this also makes it directly proportional to the honey's antibacterial and antimicrobial efficacy.
Country of Origin
Make sure your jar of honey shows New Zealand as the country of origin. Authentic manuka producers understand the value of their labeling. If it's truly manuka, you'll see the country on the label somewhere.
While Australia has recently entered the manuka market, they won't have the same labeling as New Zealand manuka. They do test MGO levels and have their own rating system, but legalities and trademarks prevent them from using the UMF rating system.
Monofloral
Remember monofloral will have higher concentrations of methylglyoxal, so look for the monofloral stamp of authenticity.
MGO Number
The MGO number is another measure of authenticity and usually goes hand in hand with the UMF number. They are both directly proportional to one another and confirm the presence of those unique manuka compounds.
If you think you're getting a good deal, just remember, there's no such thing as cheap manuka honey.
Conclusion
The limited supply, laboratory testing, and shipping costs all contribute to the astronomical price of manuka. Only you can decide if the health benefits of manuka honey outweigh the price.
If you enjoy the health benefits of manuka honey, try adding some to these recipes:
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