New Zealand's honey industry generated NZ$1.2 billion in economic value in a recent year. The latest data tracks the production, employment, and export trends that sustain this economic hive.
Key Takeaways
- NZ honey industry generated NZ$1.2 billion in economic value including multipliers in 2022
- Number of commercial beekeepers registered 4,250 in 2023
- New Zealand honey exports totaled NZ$682 million in 2022, up 12% from prior year
- Domestic honey market value was NZ$145 million in 2022
- In 2022, New Zealand's total honey production reached 28,450 metric tonnes, a 4.2% increase from 2021
- Manuka honey MGO 100+ contains 100mg/kg methylglyoxal
New Zealand’s honey industry is thriving with steady growth, strong exports, and rising producer numbers.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic22 stats
01
NZ honey industry generated NZ$1.2 billion in economic value including multipliers in 2022
02
Employment in apiculture totaled 12,500 full-time equivalents in 2023
03
GDP contribution from honey was 0.3% or NZ$950 million in 2022
04
Royalty payments to Maori iwi from Manuka reached NZ$15 million in 2023
05
R&D investment was NZ$22 million in 2022
06
Tax revenue from industry estimated at NZ$180 million in 2023
07
Multiplier effect on rural economies was 2.8x export value in 2022
08
Average beekeeper income was NZ$145,000in 2023 for commercial ops
09
Pollination services revenue NZ$85 million annually in 2022
10
Import substitution saved NZ$20 million in 2023
11
Capital investment in hives and gear NZ$450 million stock in 2022
12
Tourism spin-offs from apiary visits NZ$12 million in 2023
13
Insurance premiums paid by industry NZ$28 million in 2022
14
Supply chain value added 35% to raw honey price in 2023
15
SME contribution 68% of economic output in 2022
16
Export earnings per employee NZ$54,000in 2023
17
Government subsidies for hive health NZ$8.5 million in 2022
18
Brand equity value of NZ Manuka estimated NZ$5 billion globally 2023
19
Cost of production index rose 11% due to inputs in 2022
20
Regional economic impact Northland NZ$180 million in 2023
21
Profit margins averaged 28% for exporters in 2022
22
Future economic projection 1.5% annual growth to 2030
Interpretation
Economic Interpretation
While its GDP contribution may seem small at 0.3%, the New Zealand honey industry is a remarkably potent economic hive, generating over a billion dollars, supporting thousands of jobs, enriching iwi, and proving that its true value is spread far more widely than the sticky stuff in the jar.
02 · Category
Employment24 stats
01
Number of commercial beekeepers registered 4,250 in 2023
02
Total industry jobs including seasonal 25,000 in 2022 peak
03
Average hive management labor 120 hours per year per 100 hives
04
Women comprise 32% of apiarists in 2022 survey
05
Training courses completed by 1,850 new entrants since 2020
06
Maori employment in industry 18% above national average in 2023
07
Hive technician wages averaged NZ$28/hour in 2022
08
Queen bee breeders numbered 120 specialists in 2023
09
Seasonal migrant workers 2,400 for pollination services 2022
10
Safety incident rate 1.2 per 1,000 workers in 2023
11
Association membership 85% of commercial operators in 2022
12
Youth apprenticeships 450 slots filled in 2023
13
Processing plant staff totaled 1,950 full-time in 2022
14
Remote monitoring tech reduced labor needs by 15% in 2023
15
Regional employment leader Bay of Plenty 3,200 jobs in 2022
16
Turnover rate in industry 8.5% annually 2023
17
Certification training for UMF 1,200 completions in 2022
18
Export logistics roles grew 12% to 850 in 2023
19
Volunteer beekeepers contribute 5,200 part-time equivalents
20
Skill shortage list includes apiarists since 2021
21
Average career length 22 years for senior beekeepers 2022
22
Digital platform jobs in marketing 450 new in 2023
23
Projected employment growth 2.4% annually to 2028
24
Historical peak employment 28,000 in 2019 boom
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
While the industry buzzes with a dedicated and growing hive of 4,250 commercial beekeepers and 25,000 jobs, its real sweet spot is a remarkably sticky and diverse workforce, where women make up nearly a third of apiarists, Māori employment thrives, and the average career lasts 22 years, yet it still faces the persistent sting of an 8.5% annual turnover rate and a spot on the official skill shortage list.
03 · Category
Exports28 stats
01
New Zealand honey exports totaled NZ$682 million in 2022, up 12% from prior year
02
China received 28% of NZ honey exports by value in 2023, worth NZ$210 million
03
USA imported NZ$145 million worth of Manuka honey in 2022
04
Export volume reached 18,900 tonnes in 2023, primarily Manuka varieties
05
European Union took 15% of exports, valued at NZ$112 million in 2022
06
Average export price per kg was NZ$36.10for Manuka honey in 2023
07
Japan exports grew 18% to NZ$45 million in 2022
08
Bulk export shipments averaged 25 tonnes per container in 2023
09
Certified Manuka exports under UMF were 9,200 tonnes in 2022
10
Australia imported NZ$32 million in honey products in 2023
11
Export compliance inspections numbered 4,250 in 2022
12
Online export sales via e-commerce platforms hit NZ$68 million in 2023
13
UK post-Brexit imports rose to NZ$55 million in 2022
14
Container throughput for honey at ports was 1,200 TEUs in 2023
15
Tariff-free access under CPTPP boosted exports to Asia by 9% in 2022
16
Re-export processing added NZ$12 million value in 2023
17
Top export product was UMF 10+ Manuka at 3,450 tonnes
18
Export growth rate to USA was 14.5% YoY in 2022
19
Honey export permits issued totaled 2,800 in 2023
20
Value-added export products like creamed honey were NZ$28 million
21
Middle East markets emerged with NZ$15 million in 2023
22
Export insurance claims were minimal at 0.2% of volume in 2022
23
Air freight exports for high-value Manuka totaled 150 tonnes in 2023
24
Export destination diversity index increased to 45 countries in 2022
25
FOB export value per tonne averaged NZ$38,500in 2023
26
Honey exports contributed 2.1% to total agri-exports in 2022
27
Projected 2024 exports at NZ$750 million
28
Historical export peak was NZ$728 million in 2021
Interpretation
Exports Interpretation
New Zealand’s honey industry is sweetly conquering the world, one luxurious, gold-standard pot at a time, with China and the U.S. leading the charge for its liquid gold.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market25 stats
01
Domestic honey market value was NZ$145 million in 2022
02
Retail price for standard honey averaged NZ$12.50per 500g jar in 2023
03
Manuka honey UMF 5+ retailed at NZ$45per 250g in supermarkets 2022
04
Supermarket sales volume was 4,200 tonnes in 2023, 65% of domestic
05
Online honey sales grew 22% to NZ$32 million in 2022
06
Wholesale price per kg for bulk honey was NZ$18.20in 2023
07
Health food stores captured 28% market share in 2022
08
Premium Manuka segment valued at NZ$89 million domestically in 2023
09
Consumer spending per capita on honey was NZ$28in 2022
10
Private label honey sales rose 15% to 1,100 tonnes in 2023
11
Export-domestic price differential was 45% for Manuka in 2022
12
Market concentration: top 5 firms held 52% share in 2023
13
Promotional campaigns boosted sales by 8% in Q4 2022
14
Honey in food manufacturing used 2,450 tonnes in 2023
15
Gift pack sales peaked at NZ$12 million during holidays 2022
16
Organic honey domestic premium was 35% over conventional in 2023
17
Brand loyalty index for leading Manuka brands was 67% in 2022
18
Price elasticity of demand for honey was -0.45 in 2023 study
19
New product launches totaled 45 honey variants in 2022
20
Farmer's market sales volume 650 tonnes annually in 2023
21
Inflation-adjusted market growth was 3.2% in 2022
22
Youth demographic (18-34) purchased 29% of premium honey in 2023
23
Subscription box services for honey hit NZ$4.5 million in 2022
24
Market forecast for 2025 at NZ$168 million domestic
25
Historical domestic market low was NZ$98 million in 2015
Interpretation
Market Interpretation
New Zealand's honey market is busier than a beehive, with consumers paying a premium to put their money where their health is—though the real sweet spot lies in the 45% markup for sending that prized Manuka honey abroad instead of keeping it on the Kiwi shelf.
05 · Category
Production30 stats
01
In 2022, New Zealand's total honey production reached 28,450 metric tonnes, a 4.2% increase from 2021
02
The North Island accounted for 62% of national honey production in 2023, yielding approximately 17,600 tonnes
03
Average honey yield per hive nationwide was 52.3 kg in 2022, up from 50.1 kg in 2021
04
Manuka honey production constituted 12,500 tonnes in 2022, representing 44% of total output
05
South Island production totaled 10,850 tonnes in 2023, with a focus on multifloral varieties
06
Number of registered apiaries in New Zealand stood at 9,850 in 2022
07
Total number of hives managed commercially was 548,000 in 2023
08
Clover honey yield averaged 60 kg per hive in key Waikato regions during 2022 season
09
Kanuka honey production surged by 15% to 3,200 tonnes in 2022
10
Organic honey production reached 1,850 tonnes in 2023, certified under BioGro standards
11
Honey production per hectare in Manuka forests averaged 450 kg in 2022
12
Total production costs per hive rose to NZ$320in 2023 due to feed and labor
13
Yield variability index for honey was 18% across regions in 2022
14
Juvenile bee production supported 1.2 million hives indirectly in 2023
15
Pasteurized honey output was 8,200 tonnes in 2022 for domestic use
16
Raw honey production dominated at 85% of total volume in 2023
17
Honey extraction facilities numbered 245 nationwide in 2022
18
Peak production month of January yielded 35% of annual total in 2023
19
Drone bee contribution to pollination boosted yields by 12% in orchards
20
Winter hive survival rate was 92% in 2022, aiding spring production
21
Varroa mite impact reduced yields by 3% in affected areas in 2023
22
Commercial scale production from 500+ hive operations was 78% of total
23
Hobby beekeeper contribution was 1,200 tonnes in 2022
24
Irrigation adoption in dry areas increased yields by 22% in 2023
25
Floral source diversity index for production areas was 4.2 species per hive site
26
Honey moisture content averaged 17.8% at harvest in 2022
27
Equipment modernization led to 8% efficiency gain in extraction in 2023
28
Regional production leader Waikato output 6,500 tonnes in 2022
29
Forecast production for 2024 estimated at 29,800 tonnes
30
Historical peak production was 31,200 tonnes in 2018
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
While the North Island bosses the apiary scene, New Zealand's hives are collectively buzzing with more productive purpose, squeezing out a 4.2% increase in golden yield to 28,450 tonnes, though still wistfully gazing up at the industry's 2018 peak.
06 · Category
Quality24 stats
01
Manuka honey MGO 100+ contains 100mg/kg methylglyoxal
02
85% of commercial Manuka meets UMF or MGO authentication in 2022 tests
03
Average pollen count in NZ honey is 45,000 per gram for purity
04
HMF levels below 40mg/kg in 98% of exported honey in 2022
05
Antibacterial activity in Manuka UMF 15+ equivalent to 15% phenol
06
Moisture content regulated below 20% for all commercial grades
07
DHA precursor levels average 400mg/kg in high-grade Manuka 2022
08
Lab tests on 1,200 samples showed 99.2% residue-free in 2023
09
Leptosperin marker present in 92% genuine Manuka samples 2022
10
Non-peroxide activity (NPA) standardized via UMF system since 1998
11
Vitamin C content averages 0.8mg/100g in multifloral honey
12
pH range for premium honey 3.4-4.2 in 2022 audits
13
4-methylacetophenone unique marker up to 50ug/g in Manuka
14
ISO 22000 certification held by 65% major packers in 2022
15
Antibacterial testing via agar diffusion shows 20mm zones for UMF10+
16
Adulteration detection rate 1.8% in imports checks 2022
17
Enzymatic activity diastase min 8 Schade units required
18
Trace elements like potassium 1,200mg/kg average in Manuka
19
Sensory panel scores average 8.2/10 for premium grades 2023
20
DNA testing confirms Leptospermum scoparium in 95% labeled Manuka
21
Hydrogen peroxide levels contribute 70% to general honey activity
22
Quality assurance audits conducted 3,450 times in 2022
23
Forecast quality compliance 99.5% for 2024 exports
24
Historical adulteration scandals reduced by 90% since 2015 regs
Interpretation
Quality Interpretation
While the stats confirm New Zealand's honey industry runs a tight, scientific ship—from authenticating 85% of its Manuka with serious antibacterial punch to catching nearly all adulteration and maintaining impressive purity—it turns out that creating elite honey is less about whimsical bees and more about rigorous chemistry, relentless testing, and guarding against the 1.8% of bad actors who try to spoil the barrel.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
David Sutherland. (2026, February 13). New Zealand Honey Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-zealand-honey-industry-statistics
MLA
David Sutherland. "New Zealand Honey Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/new-zealand-honey-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Sutherland. 2026. "New Zealand Honey Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-zealand-honey-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
9 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level