Australian Honey: Expanding the market for a multifunctional, natural food

Summary

The RIRDC Honeybee R&D Advisory Committee has been asked by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) to commission a study of existing and prospective markets and marketing activities for Australian honey, with the intention of recommending means to: enhance consumer appreciation of the multifunctional properties of the product, expand local and international consumption of different forms of Australian honeys and other apiary products, extend local and international understanding of nutritional Australian honeys for therapeutic benefits, and improve returns to Australian honey producers. The study will consider factors such as potential for impact on current supply chain arrangements, and benefitcost analyses and other factors (eg, compliance issues) potentially associated with industry entry into new market sectors.

Program

Honey Bee

Research Organisation

Retailworks Discretionary Trust & Spencer Family Trust Partnership Trading as Freshlogic

Objective Summary

The study will examine and report on: current supply chain arrangements, with the objective of identifying prospects that could improve individual producer returns, eg, honey, royal jelly, pollens, etc; the potential for presenting honey products in a different structure in existing markets (eg, offering variety to consumers and value for producers by supply of honey in alternative forms such as hard and soft set candied products); assessment of traditional honey supply profile (flavours and presentation) in interantional markets (eg United Kingdom and Europe, to assess whether there could be valueadding opportunity for lower grade Australian honeys such as Crows Ash, Red Ash, Mangrove and Macadamia), and the potential for increased use of honeys in alternative markets, based on product characteristics such as low glycaemic index, and antimicrobial and prebiotic activities.