PROCESS
How we source
See how a commercial requirement moves from application and specification through market considerations, private supply qualification and documentation review.
See the sourcing process →THE COMMERCIAL KNOWLEDGE LIBRARY
Buy with
clearer intelligence.
Understand the terminology, evidence and commercial questions before you buy the product.
MGO
Methylglyoxal
A chemical marker commonly used in industry to describe the strength/grade of mānuka honey.
UMF™
Certification framework
A certification and grading system that assesses a broader set of quality and authenticity attributes.
AUTHENTICITY
What makes NZ mānuka?
For export, MPI's scientific definition uses four chemical attributes plus a mānuka pollen DNA marker. The testing framework distinguishes monofloral and multifloral mānuka.
See the quality framework →BUYING
What should a buyer specify?
Application, destination market, grade, volume, format, documentation and timing. If grade is unknown, start with the application and market.
Build a sourcing brief →DOCUMENTATION
What is a COA?
A Certificate of Analysis records relevant test results for a product or batch. The required content depends on the product and market.
Quality & traceability →EXPORT
Why does the market matter?
MPI notes that exporters must meet New Zealand requirements and applicable destination-country requirements. Market access is part of the specification.
Export supply →COMMERCIAL BUYER RESOURCES
Start here: New Zealand Mānuka Sourcing Hub → — define the commercial requirement before requesting supply.
Buy with a clearer
specification.
BUYING
Mānuka Honey Buying Guide
A practical checklist for defining the product requirement before requesting supply.
Read the guide →SPECIFICATION
Commercial Specification Guide
Build a clear specification covering application, market, grade, volume, format and documentation.
Read the guide →DUE DILIGENCE
Questions to Ask a Supplier
Use a structured question set when evaluating product, testing and commercial supply.
Read the guide →DOCUMENTATION
COA & Export Documentation
Understand the role of batch analysis, testing and export records.
Read the guide →HANDLING
Bulk Storage & Handling
Practical considerations for receiving, storing and moving bulk mānuka honey.
Read the guide →FAQ
Are MGO and UMF™ the same thing?
No. MGO is a measurement of methylglyoxal concentration, while UMF™ is a separate certification and grading framework that assesses multiple quality factors.
Does a high MGO number prove New Zealand mānuka authenticity?
No. MGO is one measurement and is not the complete New Zealand export authentication definition. Buyers should consider the applicable testing and documentation.
What makes New Zealand mānuka authentic for export?
New Zealand's export definition uses five attributes: four chemical markers and one mānuka pollen DNA marker. Export mānuka must be tested by an MPI-recognised laboratory.
What should I specify when buying bulk mānuka honey?
Define the application, destination market, grade or target specification, volume, format, documentation requirements and timing. If the grade is uncertain, start with the application and market.
What should I ask a mānuka honey supplier?
Ask about product specification, batch testing, authenticity, Certificate of Analysis, traceability, available formats, minimum or target volumes, destination-market requirements and supply timing.
What is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
A COA is a batch-specific document reporting relevant analytical results against a product specification. The required content depends on the product and market.
What is monofloral mānuka honey?
Under the New Zealand export definition, monofloral status is determined by the specified five-attribute scientific test. A honey that does not meet the monofloral criteria may still meet the multifloral criteria.
Why does the destination market matter?
Exporters must meet applicable New Zealand requirements as well as the requirements that apply in the destination market. Market access therefore forms part of the commercial specification.
Can MGO be converted directly to UMF™?
Do not treat MGO and UMF™ as directly interchangeable ratings. MGO measures one chemical attribute, while UMF™ uses a broader certification and grading framework.
Where should buyers verify regulatory information?
For New Zealand regulatory and export questions, use current official New Zealand Food Safety / MPI material and confirm destination-market requirements for the relevant shipment and product.
Regulatory and export information should be checked against current official requirements. New Zealand Food Safety / MPI mānuka testing · UMF™: MGO vs UMF™
BUYER KNOWLEDGE
Go deeper on the
specification.
MGO
MGO in Mānuka Honey
Understand MGO measurement and how buyers use it in commercial specifications.
Read the guide →GRADING
MGO vs UMF™
Understand the distinction between MGO measurement and the UMF™ framework.
Read the guide →AUTHENTICITY
Monofloral vs Multifloral
Understand the New Zealand export testing framework and terminology.
Read the guide →TESTING
Mānuka Honey Testing
Understand the science-based export authentication framework.
Read the guide →DOCUMENTATION
Mānuka Honey COA
Understand how to review batch analysis and documentation.
Read the guide →EXPORT
Export Requirements
Understand the role of testing, documentation and destination-market requirements.
Read the guide →OFFICIAL REFERENCES
Use the right
source.
For regulatory and export questions, start with the official New Zealand reference material.
Mānuka Standards & Official Resources →COMMERCIAL CLARITY
Know what to ask
before you buy.
Build a sourcing brief →APPLICATION BUYING GUIDES
FOOD
Food manufacturers →
Build a commercial ingredient specification around application, grade, volume, format and market.
BEVERAGE
Beverage development →
Consider the finished drink, ingredient specification, process and destination market.
WELLNESS
Wellness products →
Separate ingredient sourcing from market-specific product and claims requirements.
PERSONAL CARE
Personal care →
Define the ingredient brief around finished format, market, documentation and volume.
DISTRIBUTION
Distributors →
Structure wholesale requirements around grade, volume, format and destination market.
BULK FORMAT
Bulk formats →
Specify commercial pack format alongside grade, volume, documentation and timing.