What makes Manuka Honey so expensive?
What makes Manuka Honey so expensive?
The Manuka Tree is endemic to New Zealand and grows in the most steep and infertile soils. As a result, to access the sites for the Manuka flower the hives need to be placed in locations that are difficult to get to and in many instances can only be accessed by four wheel motor bikes. Furthermore, the flowering season for the Manuka will normally only last 4-6 weeks. In Taranaki, this occurs throughout January and the quality and volume of the Manuka flower can be impacted by the wind, rain, temperature and flowering of other plants at that time of year.
There is so much that has to fall into place that some years there is no yield of Manuka Honey at all despite the effort, care and in some instances embarrassing and painful work that goes into the production of each jar.