Global retailers taste NZ mānuka honey offerings
Thousands of honey retailers and professionals worldwide are getting a taste of the remarkable properties of New Zealand mānuka honey.
Export revenue for New Zealand pure honey reached a record $315 million for the year ended 2016, up 35% on the previous year.
This increase reflects value per kg rather than increased volume.
“New Zealand’s apiculture industry has grown rapidly over the last few years with strong market demand for premium New Zealand honey, especially mānuka honey, driving a lot of the current expansion,” says Karin Kos, chief executive of Apiculture New Zealand, the peak industry body for New Zealand honey and beekeeping industry.
“Here at home and abroad, consumers love New Zealand honey which is in high demand around the world,” says Kos.
The report showed that while export prices rose for New Zealand honey during 2015/16, world honey prices fell.
In the same year, New Zealand produced a record honey crop of 19,885 tonnes. Registered hive numbers reached 684,046 in June 2016, while registered beekeeping enterprises increased by 21% to 6735, the highest annual increase in recent years.
Kos says that the industry has continued to see growth in registered hive numbers over the 2016/17 season but that the current season was a lot more challenging, with poor weather conditions affecting this year’s honey crop.
“It’s been a very tough season for our industry this year but the long-term outlook for New Zealand apiculture remains strong.”
Kos acknowledged the concerns outlined in the MPI report over ongoing bee health, competition for apiary sites and maintaining the confidence of overseas consumers in the integrity of mānuka honey.
“As with any industry experiencing significant growth, we are experiencing some growing pains but we have a lot to look forward to, and we are committed to ensuring our growth is managed sustainably, and our honey bee colonies remain healthy,” says Kos.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…