Investment of $1.7m in Manuka honey research

Investment of $1.7m in Manuka honey research and development

Tuesday 10 May 2011

The Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) has awarded funding to a Manuka honey industry consortium seeking to improve the reliability of supply and yields of medical grade Manuka honey.

The successful business plan outlines a programme of innovation totalling more than $1.7 million over seven years, with half the funding coming from industry.

A group across the Manuka honey supply chain is aiming to expand the value of the Manuka products industry by developing a science-base for the industry to understand how local ecosystems affect yields and activity levels in Manuka honey. The group is lead by Manuka Research Partnership (NZ) Limited and Comvita Limited.

The programme objective is to increase the reliability of supply, and proportion of medical grade Manuka honey. If fully realised, it is estimated that this programme could see a 16-fold increase that will grow the sector to a billion dollar industry.

The latest funding takes the total PGP investment awarded to nine programmes of research and innovation since 2009 to almost $219 million. Including industry contributions the total is almost $476 million.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Director General Wayne McNee says this funding is an illustration of the potential that exists within New Zealand’s primary sector.

“PGP is all about investing in forwarding-thinking, visionary business plans that have the potential to transform our primary sectors and bring about substantial and sustainable economic growth.

“This programme has a strong focus on matching market demand and research and development to identify productivity gains in the most profitable areas for the industry.

“Together, the applicants have risen to the requirements set by PGP and are working collaboratively within their sector as a result of progressive thinking and clear plans for success.”

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