- Bees are a vital component of our ecosystem, and their role in pollination cannot be overstated.
- Pollination is crucial for the reproduction of many plants, including crops like kiwifruit and avocado.
- Bees’ health and well-being directly impact the quality and quantity of honey produced.
Mānuka honey is renowned for its unique characteristics and health benefits, which are the result of the nectar from the mānuka tree being processed by bees into a rich, viscous liquid. The mānuka tree has been a part of New Zealand’s ecosystem for over 1000 years, providing a rich source of nectar for bees. A bountiful supply of honey is expected this season, thanks to warmer weather and healthy bee colonies. This is good news for businesses like BeeNZ, which is vertically integrated and produces its own brand of mānuka honey. With a presence in Singapore, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia, BeeNZ is a significant player in the global market.
Vertically Integrated Business
| Company | Description |
|---|---|
| BeeNZ Ltd | Produce and market its own brand of mānuka honey, supplying private label internationally. |
| Buzz Apiaries Ltd | Rent out hives for pollinating avocado and kiwifruit orchards, and is vertically integrated with BeeNZ Ltd. |
| BeeNZ Ltd | 50% shareholder in a bulk honey trading and distribution company based in Timaru. |
The Hayes family is committed to sustainability and environmental care, with their business achieving B-Corp status in 2022. They also hold other accreditations, including the Fernmark and Toitu Enviromark Gold certification.
- Being able to meet market demand is always positive, which in turn helps strengthen honey businesses financially and this flows on to support the regional economy.
- Local farmers and orchardists also benefit, as bees play a vital role in pollination, boosting crop yields and quality across the board.
The business employs 12 people who get on-the-job training, with two of Julie and David’s sons being beekeepers. Their daughter-in-law looks after the communications and marketing side of BeeNZ Ltd. The family affair is a key factor in the business’s success, with the kiwifruit and honey harvesting businesses working together to provide year-round employment.
Mental Health of Beekeepers
“Mental health of beekeepers is better than previous seasons, due to seeing strong healthy hives, confidence in the future honey harvest and a lift in the global economy to sustain demand for manuka honey.” – Julie Hayes
The challenges faced by the industry include increased costs for labour, fuel and transport, and controlling varroa mites. However, with the global economy showing signs of recovery, the outlook for the mānuka honey industry remains positive.
Young Industry with Endless Potential
“Mānuka honey is a young agricultural industry that after a long period of growth, is having to look hard at how it is structured in a world that looks very different than the one the industry grew up in.” – Tony Wright
The industry has a lot to offer, with the prospects for long-term exports of mānuka honey remaining good. As people continue to move towards natural health solutions, mānuka honey is expected to remain an important part of the category. Modern scientific discoveries have substantiated the bioactive properties of mānuka honey and its health attributes.
