Best NZ manuka honey: how to choose brands with high purity

Summary

A guide to imported New Zealand honey says brands such as Manuka Health, Comvita and Wedderspoon are more reliable because they carry UMF or MGO certification. UMF10+ suits daily health care, while UMF15+ is better for digestive care;

MGO300+ is equivalent to UMF10+. Buyers should consider low-temperature processing, South Island honey sources and anti-counterfeit QR codes, and avoid overpaying for inflated claims.

Commentary

New Zealand manuka honey exports depend on UMF/MGO certification, with leading brands such as Comvita and Manuka Health dominating mainstream global channels. China is the fastest-growing market. Annual honey exports total about NZ$450 million, of which manuka accounts for 80 percent, and China takes nearly one-third.

For small and medium NZ beekeepers and processors, certification compliance raises costs but is a necessary gateway to the premium market. Meanwhile, they must guard against private-label manufacturing eroding the value of original products. Growing consumer sophistication in verifying MGO levels and authenticity is forcing supply-chain transparency.

We recommend attention to the premium potential of high-activity products with UMF15+ or above, but building a traceable system yourself rather than relying solely on certification labels.

Keywords: New Zealand honey, manuka honey, UMF certification, MGO certification, purity, low-temperature processing, honey source, brand selection

Source: PCOnline