Manuka Honey Prices: Why Is Manuka Honey So Expensive, and What Prices Are Reasonable?

Why is Manuka honey so expensive?

Genuine Manuka honey is harvested exclusively in New Zealand and naturally has a uniquely high MGO content. Each batch is laboratory-tested and certified, which makes it rare and significantly more expensive than regular honey.

Origin, MGO, and Quality Assurance

Genuine Manuka honey is produced exclusively from the nectar of the Manuka bush, Leptospermum scoparium (also known as South Sea myrtle), which is native only to New Zealand. The Manuka plant often grows in remote regions that are difficult to access. The flowering season, during which bees can collect nectar, is short, lasting only a few weeks a year. This natural limitation directly affects the price of Manuka honey.

Its MGO content is also unique: while regular blossom honey contains only about 5 to 20 mg of MGO per kilogram, Manuka honey has concentrations ranging from 100 mg/kg to over 1,000 mg/kg. If you want to know what MGO actually is, you can learn more about MGO and its significance here.

To ensure the desired quality and the stated MGO content, reputable suppliers have their honey tested by independent laboratories for the following parameters:

• MGO content
• Varietal purity
• Residues and pesticides

In addition, they offer their customers the ability to trace the honey back to its source. This ensures maximum transparency and builds confidence in the product’s quality.

This quality assurance is another reason why Manuka honey is so expensive and contributes to its higher price. At the same time, it protects you from counterfeits and guarantees that you are getting pure Manuka honey from New Zealand. This makes it an indispensable component of high-quality Manuka honey.

Price Differences in Manuka Honey: MGO Content and Quality

The price range for Manuka honey is unusually wide. This is primarily due to two key factors: the MGO content and the honey’s quality assurance.

The MGO value indicates the concentration of methylglyoxal in honey—and it is precisely this value that has a particularly strong influence on the price. The higher the MGO content, the rarer the honey and the higher the price.

Not all Manuka honey automatically contains high levels of MGO. High MGO levels occur only under particularly favorable conditions and cannot be predicted. While lower MGO levels (100–300) are relatively common, varieties with very high MGO content (800+) are rare and consequently highly sought after. This means that two jars of Manuka honey of the same weight can vary massively in price—solely based on their MGO value.

The next factor that significantly influences the price of Manuka honey is quality assurance. If suppliers want to save money, they skip expensive certifications. While you may end up with an inexpensive product labeled as Manuka honey, it’s quite possible that it’s a counterfeit or an inferior product.

Good indicators of counterfeits include:

• no clear indication that it comes from New Zealand
• missing or incomplete laboratory tests
• No guaranteed MGO content
• Blending with other types of honey

High-quality Manuka honey, on the other hand, is:

• Single-varietal and sourced exclusively from New Zealand
• independently laboratory-tested
• with a clearly stated and certified MGO value
• traceable back to the harvest site

These differences explain why two jars of Manuka honey with the same MGO rating can have completely different prices.

How much does Manuka honey cost?

If you want to buy Manuka honey, it’s important to know the typical prices for Manuka honey based on its MGO content. That’s why we’ve put together the following guidelines for you:

• MGO 300–350+: approximately €8–12 per 100 g
• MGO 450–500+: approximately €13–16 per 100 g
• MGO 550–600+: approximately €15–20 per 100 g
• MGO 800+: approximately €25–35 per 100 g

Another factor that determines the price of Manuka honey is the size of the container. If you buy Manuka honey in larger quantities, you can often save a significant amount. We’ll illustrate this below using the prices of our Manuka honeys.

Price of Manuka Honey MGO 308+

Our entry-level product starts at a price of 11.33 EUR per 100 g. However, if you opt for the 1,200-g jar, 100 g costs just 8.25 EUR—a substantial savings of 3.08 EUR per 100 g.

• 300 g: €34.99 → €11.33 / 100 g
• 600 g: €59.99 → €9.83 / 100 g
• 1200 g: €99.99 → €8.25 / 100 g

Price of Manuka Honey MGO 459+

Our wonderful all-purpose product is available in a 300-g jar starting at 15.33 EUR per 100 g. If you opt for the 1200-g jar, you’ll save 2.08 EUR per 100 g.

• 300 g: €45.99 → €15.33 / 100 g
• 600 g: €85.99 → €14.17 / 100 g
• 1200 g: €159.99 → €13.25 / 100 g

Price of Manuka Honey MGO 572+

As previously explained, the price increases as the MGO content rises. But with our Manuka honey MGO 572+, choosing the largest jar is especially worthwhile. You’ll save a full 4.75 EUR per 100 g if you choose the 1200-g jar instead of the 300-g jar.

• 300 g: €59.99 → €19.67 / 100 g
• 600 g: €109.99 → €18.17 / 100 g
• 1200 g: €179.99 → €14.92 / 100 g

Price of Manuka Honey MGO 829+

Our rarest honey offers the greatest savings. When you buy the largest size, you’ll save 8.33 EUR per 100 g. That’s a 25% discount.

• 300 g: €99.99 → €33.33 / 100 g
• 600 g: €179.99 → €30.00 / 100 g
• 1200 g: €299.99 → €25.00 / 100 g

Checklist: How to Tell if It's Real Manuka Honey

When buying Manuka honey, look for the following criteria:

• 100% pure Manuka honey from New Zealand
• No additives or blending with other types of honey
• Careful harvesting by family-run beekeepers
• Guaranteed, laboratory-tested MGO content
• Traceability via QR code
• Testing by independent laboratories
• Sustainable glass packaging
• Carbon-neutral shipping

Conclusion: Manuka Honey Price: Why Is Manuka Honey So Expensive?

At first glance, the price of Manuka honey may seem high compared to regular or conventional honey. However, once you understand its rarity, its unique properties, and the rigorous laboratory testing required for quality assurance, it becomes clear why Manuka honey is so expensive. Look for the quality characteristics listed here. This way, you can be sure you’re investing in a delicious natural product that’s worth every penny.