Which Manuka Honey Grade is Best For Your Business?

The best Mānuka honey grade is the one that fits your product, customers and commercial requirements. Multifloral Mānuka and UMF 5+ or 10+ can provide more accessible entry points, while UMF™ 15+ can suit premium retail and private label ranges; UMF 20+ and 25+ offer stronger high-end positioning; and exceptionally high grades such as UMF 31+ may suit limited-edition or luxury products. The highest number is not automatically the best investment.

For businesses sourcing New Zealand Mānuka honey, grade selection affects more than what appears on the label. It influences ingredient cost, product development, price positioning and supply planning. 

At Midlands Apiaries, we help commercial buyers work through these decisions, whether they're purchasing bulk honey for manufacturing or developing a retail-ready brand.

This guide compares high-grade options and explains what to consider before requesting a quote.

Mānuka Honey Grades at a Glance

The figures are indicative grade references, not a substitute for a batch specification. Midlands' Mānuka honey range lists standard commercial grades; exceptionally high-grade products may have separate specifications and availability.

These are commercial positioning examples, not prescribed uses. The best fit depends on what your customers are willing to pay, how the honey will be presented and the volumes you require.

Explore Midlands' Mānuka honey range for available grades and product options.

What Do UMF and MGO Tell a Commercial Buyer?

UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor) is an independent certification and grading system for New Zealand Mānuka honey. Its four-factor approach assesses methylglyoxal (MGO), leptosperin, dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Together, these measurements provide information about authenticity, potency and quality.

MGO refers to the measured concentration of methylglyoxal, expressed in milligrams per kilogram. It is associated with Mānuka honey's non-peroxide antibacterial activity. As a general rule, higher UMF grades correspond to higher MGO levels, but an MGO figure alone is not equivalent to UMF certification.

You can read the UMF Honey Association's explanation of its quality system or Midlands' guides to UMF grading and MGO. Here, the important question is what the grade means for your business.

How Do You Choose the Right Mānuka Honey Grade?

Start with the finished product rather than choosing a grade in isolation. Five considerations usually help narrow the options.

1. Product Application

What are you making or selling? A brand selling jars of monofloral Mānuka honey can make the UMF rating a prominent part of its offer. A food manufacturer using honey as an ingredient may put more weight on flavour, consistency, processing behaviour and cost per unit. In skincare, formulators must also assess stability and compatibility with other ingredients.

For examples across food, beverages and personal care, see commercial uses for Mānuka honey.

2. Customer Expectations

Consider how familiar your customers are with Mānuka honey, UMF grading and natural wellness products.

Customers who already understand UMF and MGO may recognise the value of higher grades. Those unfamiliar with the category may be more influenced by price, packaging, New Zealand origin and brand reputation.

Existing customer spending habits and price sensitivity are particularly important.

For example, if most products in your current range retail for $30 or less, introducing a Mānuka honey jar priced at $100 or more may be difficult without a clearly defined premium audience. These prices are illustrative, not recommended retail prices.

Think about the product information your customers may need before purchasing. A lower grade can provide an accessible introduction to Mānuka honey, while higher grades may appeal to customers already familiar with its grading system.

3. Price and Margin

Higher UMF grades generally carry a higher purchase cost, making retail pricing and margin important considerations. A single Mānuka honey grade may work well, but offering multiple grades at different price points can give customers more choice and opportunities to trade up. Alternatively, a Snap Pack could provide an accessible trial format alongside a full-size jar. Consider how these options fit your overall pricing strategy, accounting for packaging, freight, distribution costs and target margins.

4. Format and Order Volume

Product format and order volume are important considerations when developing a Mānuka honey range. Decide whether you need retail-ready jars or a private label solution with customised packaging and branding. Your chosen format should align with your target market, distribution channels and expected demand.

Minimum order quantities, production lead times and supply availability also need to be considered, particularly for higher UMF grades.

Explore Midlands' Mānuka honey range and private label solutions to understand the available options.

5. Destination Market

A grade that works commercially in one country may need different packaging or claims in another. Check import, labelling and product-category requirements early, particularly for food supplements and cosmetic products. Claims about therapeutic effects should never be inferred from a UMF number alone.

MPI provides guidance on Mānuka honey testing for export. Specific market requirements should be checked for the finished product and its destination.

Which UMF Grade Suits Your Product Range?

The right Mānuka honey grade depends on your target customer, intended retail price and product format. Midlands offers options from accessible Multifloral Mānuka through to rare UMF 31+ and 32+ products.

As a general rule, higher grades command higher prices, although wholesale costs and recommended retail prices (RRPs) also depend on packaging, order volumes and destination markets.

Multifloral Mānuka (MGO 30/50): An Accessible Entry Point

Multifloral Mānuka offers businesses an affordable entry into the New Zealand Mānuka honey category. It can suit everyday retail products and private label ranges aimed at price-conscious consumers.

Midlands offers Multifloral Mānuka and MGO 30/50 options in private label jars, clear-skin jars, sachets and Snap Packs.

Consider Multifloral Mānuka when: you want an accessible retail price and a product that introduces customers to the Mānuka honey category.

UMF 5+ (MGO 83+): Everyday Mānuka Honey

UMF 5+ provides an accessible option for businesses seeking certified Mānuka honey. Its lower price positioning can support everyday retail ranges and encourage repeat purchases.

Available formats include private label jars, clear-skin jars, sachets and Snap Packs. Retail-ready products are also available through PURITI, Mount Somers and Primal By Nature.

Consider UMF 5+ when: your priority is affordable, certified Mānuka honey that can appeal to a broad customer base.

UMF 10+ (MGO 263+): A Mid-Range Premium Option

UMF 10+ offers a step up from entry-level grades without reaching the higher price points associated with premium Mānuka honey.

It can suit established wellness ranges and retailers looking to offer customers a choice of UMF strengths. Single-serve formats also provide an opportunity to introduce customers to Mānuka honey before they commit to a full-size jar.

Midlands offers private label jars, clear-skin jars, sachets and Snap Packs, alongside retail-ready options from PURITI, Mount Somers and Primal By Nature.

Consider UMF 10+ when: you want to balance premium positioning with accessible pricing and offer customers more than one purchasing format.

UMF 15+ (MGO 514+): A Versatile Premium Option

UMF 15+ can suit brands seeking a recognisably premium Mānuka honey product without making rarity the central selling point.

It may be appropriate for specialist retail jars, gifting ranges and private label products where verified New Zealand origin and grade are important to customers.

Midlands offers private label jars, clear-skin jars, sachets, Snap Packs and bulk pails or drums. Retail-ready options are available through PURITI, Mount Somers and Primal By Nature.

Consider UMF 15+ when: you want a premium product that supports a higher retail price while remaining commercially viable for your target market.

UMF 20+ (MGO 829+): Greater Differentiation for Specialist Retail

UMF 20+ offers a higher MGO specification that may appeal to established Mānuka honey buyers who actively compare grades.

It can support premium gifting, specialist retail and a clear step up within a branded product range. The higher purchase cost makes it important to understand whether your customers will recognise and pay for that difference.

Available formats include private label jars, sachets, Snap Packs and bulk pails or drums. Retail-ready products are offered through PURITI, Mount Somers and Primal By Nature.

Consider UMF 20+ when: your customers recognise higher UMF ratings and your pricing strategy can support a premium product.

UMF 25+ (MGO 1200+): Luxury Positioning

UMF 25+ can suit businesses looking for a more exclusive Mānuka honey offering. Its higher grade and premium price positioning make it suitable for luxury collections, specialist retailers and corporate gifting.

Midlands offers private label jars, sachets, Snap Packs and bulk pails or drums, alongside selected retail-ready branded products.

Before launching, consider the investment required for inventory, premium packaging and distribution. Confirm batch availability and lead times before committing to a retail launch.

Consider UMF 25+ when: your business has a defined luxury customer who values high-grade Mānuka honey and is willing to pay a premium.

UMF 31+ and UMF 32+: Rarity-Led Collections

Exceptionally high grades are best suited to ultra-premium retail products where rarity and exclusivity are central to the offer.

Midlands produces two distinctive retail-ready options:

• PURITI UMF 31+ Mānuka honey, positioned for luxury gifting and specialist retail.
• Primal By Nature UMF 32+ Mānuka honey, presented in premium glass jars for luxury markets.

Due to their rarity, these grades are generally available through Midlands' established retail brands rather than private label or bulk supply. Private label opportunities may be considered for established customers on a case-by-case basis.

The substantial premium associated with these grades makes customer demand, presentation and retail pricing particularly important.

Consider UMF 31+ or UMF 32+ when: your business serves a defined luxury market where exclusivity matters more than high-volume sales.

How Does Grade Affect Wholesale Pricing and Supply?

UMF rating is an important pricing factor, but it is not the whole quotation. Grade availability, volume, packing format, testing requirements, freight and destination market can all influence the final cost.

Ask your supplier to quote against a clear brief rather than comparing unit prices without context. A bulk drum and a shelf-ready jar serve different purposes, even when the underlying honey meets the same grade. Likewise, an initial trial order may have different commercial terms from a rolling supply programme.

For high-grade purchases, it's useful to discuss alternatives before finalising the label design. A neighbouring grade may deliver similar commercial positioning with different cost or availability implications. Your supplier can explain the trade-offs using current stock and specifications rather than assumptions.

What Should You Confirm Before Placing an Order?

Once you've identified a likely grade, request the details needed to turn that preference into a workable product specification:

• Grade and batch: the required UMF rating, MGO level and available batch information.
• Product format: bulk ingredient, retail-ready jars or private label packaging.
• Commercial terms: target quantities, lead times and delivery requirements.
• Quality evidence: relevant laboratory results, Certificate of Analysis and traceability documentation.
• Market suitability: requirements for the destination country and intended product claims.

Midlands' laboratory and quality control systems support testing against product and customer specifications. For a deeper discussion of UMF, MPI, food safety systems and supplier documentation, see our guide to Mānuka honey certifications.

Talk to Midlands Apiaries About the Right Mānuka Honey Grade

You don't need to know the exact grade before starting a conversation. Tell our team what you're developing, where it will be sold, the price point you're aiming for and your expected order volumes. We can then discuss suitable UMF specifications, product formats and supply options.

Whether you're sourcing wholesale Mānuka honey, developing a private label range or assessing a high-grade retail opportunity, the goal is the same: a product that fits your market and can be supplied with confidence.

Enquire about Mānuka honey supply with Midlands.