Manuka Honey Price: Why Is It So Expensive?

Manuka Honey Price: Why Is It So Expensive?

A jar of Manuka honey can easily cost several times more than regular honey. You often pay 30 to 50 euros for a small jar, and for the highest MGO values, that price goes up even further. Is that justified, or are you mainly paying for a good story? In this article, we explain where the price comes from, what makes Manuka honey special, what disadvantages you should know before buying a jar, and how the price increases with MGO value.

Why is Manuka honey so expensive?

The price of Manuka honey is the result of several factors that simply don't apply to regular honey:

• Scarcity. Approximately 1,700 tons of Manuka honey are produced annually, compared to about 1.8 million tons of honey worldwide. Manuka honey therefore represents only a fraction of the total honey production.
• Short flowering period. The Manuka bush flowers for only two to six weeks a year, and only during this period can bees collect the distinctive nectar.
• Remote harvest areas. The bushes mainly grow in the rugged, hard-to-reach hills of New Zealand. Beekeepers sometimes even place their beehives there by helicopter, which significantly increases production costs.
• Strict certification. Manuka honey is tested for specific chemical markers and a DNA marker unique to the Manuka bush, carried out in accredited laboratories. These controls are costly but necessary to guarantee authenticity.
• Growing global demand. The demand for Manuka honey is rising globally faster than the limited supply can keep up, further driving up the price.
• The MGO value itself. The higher the MGO value, the rarer the harvest with that concentration, and the higher the price. Compare, for example, MGO 100+ with MGO 1000+: the price difference is significant.

What is so special about Manuka honey?

Manuka honey comes exclusively from the nectar of the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), which grows mainly in New Zealand. This honey naturally contains methylglyoxal (MGO), a substance rarely found in regular honey. The MGO value on the label indicates its concentration and helps determine its classification and price. In addition, Manuka honey is distinguished by a thicker texture, a darker color, and a distinct, herbal taste. Do you want to know more about how MGO is formed? Also read The effect of Manuka honey in 5 questions on our blog.

How does the price increase per MGO value?

The higher the MGO value, the rarer the harvest and the higher the price per hundred grams. A global overview of our collections:

Please note: a higher price indicates rarity and taste intensity, not a recognized health benefit compared to a lower MGO value.

Are there any disadvantages associated with Manuka honey?

Besides the price, there are a few points to consider before buying a jar:

• Counterfeits and unjustified MGO claims. Because genuine Manuka honey is expensive, products are also entering the market with an MGO value that does not match the actual content. Always check if a test report or quality mark is available, for example, via a QR code on the packaging.
• Exaggerated marketing claims. The NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) found in 2024 that more than half of the investigated webshops selling Manuka honey used misleading or even prohibited medical claims. This means that as a buyer, you should remain critical of what a seller promises.
• Not suitable for everyone. Like all honey, Manuka honey is not suitable for children under one year of age, and caution is advised if you have an allergy to bee products.
• Price-quality ratio is not always clear. A higher MGO value means a more intense taste and a rarer harvest, but not a recognized health benefit compared to a lower value.
• Shelf life after opening. Manuka honey is naturally long-lasting, but the taste can become slightly less intense over time. Therefore, store the jar sealed in a cool, dry place.

Is Manuka honey nonsense?

No, but the way it is sometimes sold is excessive. Its origin, measurable MGO value, and strict certification are factual and verifiable: this is an authentic, rare type of honey. What is incorrect are the loose health promises often built around it. If you buy a jar of Manuka honey, do so primarily because you appreciate its taste, origin, and rarity, not because a website promises you a miracle cure. Do you want to know exactly what research does and does not say about Manuka honey? View our Manuka honey assortment and the corresponding product information per MGO value for the facts, apart from marketing language.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Manuka honey so expensive? Due to a combination of scarcity, a short flowering period, remote harvest areas, expensive certification, and growing global demand. The MGO value itself also influences the price: the higher it is, the rarer and therefore more expensive.

Are there any disadvantages associated with Manuka honey? Yes: the risk of counterfeits or unjustified MGO claims, the high price, and the chance of exaggerated marketing claims from less reliable sellers. Also, observe general honey guidelines, such as not being suitable for children under one year of age.

Is Manuka honey nonsense? No, its origin and MGO value are factual and measurable. However, it is wise to be critical of health claims sometimes associated with it.

What is so special about Manuka honey? Its exclusive origin from New Zealand, the natural presence of methylglyoxal (MGO), and the strict, independent certification that guarantees its authenticity.

Curious which MGO value suits your budget and taste? View the full Manuka honey assortment at Honingwinkel.nl, including current offers.