EXPORT OF HONEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20251, 10 May 1929, Page 13

EXPORT OF HONEY.

RECORD SHIPMENT READY,

NEARLY FOUR THOUSAND CASES

RAPIDLY EXPANDING INDUSTRY.

Tho largest quantity of New Zealand honey graded at one time, about 240 tons, is at present awaiting shipment in the bulk store of tho New Zealand Co-opera-tivo Honey Producers' Association, Limited, in Stanley Street, one of the recognisod Government grading stores. The honey, which is all of tho first grade, is packed in large tins holding 60 pounds, and two tins are packed together in a wooden box. The shipment thus comprises somo 3830 cases, the bulk of which will bo shipped to England early next week. The whole of the present grading is from tho Auckland Province, mainly from the Wnikato and Hauraki Plains districts, and is pasture honey, largely from white clover.

Bee-keeping and tho exportation of New Zealand honey is an industry which has expanded rapidly in recent years. Tho last quarterly report of the New Zealand Honey Control Board states the estimate for the current season's export is 1,792,600 pounds of honey, valued at £59,733, as compared with 2,306,065 pounds for 1928, valued at £77,848. Tho estimated reduction in exports is due to poor yields over all districts with the exception of the Auckland and Canterbury provinces. The total exports of the current season's bulk honey up to tho end of April was 577,160 pounds, and tho total received for grading lor export was 1,455,840 pounds. The best New Zealand honey comes from the Auckland and Canterbury provinces, which produce large quantities of tho white variety. Honey varies in colour and flavour according to the flowers from which it is gathered. The principal sources of New Zealand honey aro white clover, thistle, cat's-ear, pennyroyal and buttercup flowers, all of which give white honey of mild flavour. Honey from the rata and pohutukawa trees is white, but rather stronger than tho preceding varieties, and birch honey is also whito but of still stronger flavour. Manuka honey is dark and of a strong flavour, similar in some respects to the heather honey of Scotland. Honey from the white clover finds the best market both locally and abroad.

New Zealand honey is in good demand overseas, buyers being found in the United Kingdom, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Egypt, Palestine, India, Burma and the Straits Settlements. Since only the best quality honey is exported from New Zealand, it is rapidly becoming popular in England and on the Continent, where it is largely taking the place of jams and conserves. In Germany in particular it is a favourite addition to the morning coffee and rolls. Honey has a high calorific value, and as a result of its value as a food it is being consumed in increasing quantities iri tho colder countries. Only a portion of New Zealand honey is exported, a large proportion being consumed in New Zealand. The average New Zealander eats about three pounds of honey a year, over 2000 tons annually being consumed in the Dominion. The average consumption in Great Britain offers a decided contrast, each person conSliming only about three ounces annually. About 4000 tons is imported annually, and of this a considerable amount is used in the manufacture of sweets and similar products.