Honey grading

In the US, honey grading is performed voluntarily (USDA does offer inspection and
grading "as on-line (in-plant) or lot inspection...upon application, on a fee-for-service
basis.") based upon USDA standards. Honey is graded based upon a number of
factors including water content, flavor & aroma, absence of defects and clarity. Honey
is also classified by color though color is not a factor in the grading scale. [47] The
honey grade scale is:

Water Absence of
Grade Flavor & Aroma Clarity
content Defects
Clear - may contain air
Good – has a good, bubbles that do not
normal flavor and Practically free materially affect the
aroma for the - practically no appearance; may
predominant floral defects that contain a trace of
A < 18.6%
source and is free from affect pollen grains or other
caramelization, smoke, appearance or finely divided particles
fermentation, chemicals edibility of suspended material
and other odor causes that do not affect
appearance
Reasonably clear -
Reasonably good –
Reasonably may contain air
practically free from
free - do not bubbles, pollen grains,
caramelization; free
materially or other finely divided
B < 18.6% from smoke,
affect particles of suspended
fermentation,
appearance or material that do not
chemicals, and other
edibility materially affect
causes
appearance
Fairly good - Fairly clear -may
reasonably free from Fairly free - do contain air bubbles,
caramelization; free not seriously pollen grains, or other
C < 20.0% from smoke, affect the finely divided particles
fermentation, appearance or of suspended material
chemicals, and other edibility that do not seriously
causes affect appearance
Substandard > 20.0% Fails Grade C Fails Grade C Fails Grade C

Other countries may have differing standards on the grading of honey. India, for
example, certifies honey grades based on additional factors such as the Fiehes test, as
well as other empirical measurements.[48]

[edit] Indicators of quality

High quality honey can be distinguished by fragrance, taste, and consistency. Ripe,
freshly collected, high quality honey at 20 °C (68 °F) should flow from a knife in a
straight stream, without breaking into separate drops.[49] After falling down, the honey
should form a bead. The honey when poured should form small, temporary layers that
disappear fairly quickly, indicating high viscosity. If not, it indicates excessive water
content (over 20%)[49] of the product. Honey with excessive water content is not
suitable for long-term preservation.[50]

In jars, fresh honey should appear as a pure, consistent fluid and should not set in
layers. Within a few weeks to a few months of extraction, many varieties of honey
crystallize into a cream-coloured solid. Some varieties of honey, including tupelo,
acacia, and sage, crystallize less regularly.[51] Honey may be heated during bottling at
temperatures of 40-49°C (104–120°F) to delay or inhibit crystallization. A fluffy film
on the surface of the honey (like a white foam), or marble-coloured or white-spotted
crystallization on a containers sides, is formed by air bubbles trapped during the
bottling process.[52]

A 2008 Italian study determined that nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy can be
used to distinguish between different honey types, and can be used to pinpoint the
area where it was produced. Researchers were able to identify differences in acacia
and polyfloral honeys by the differing proportions of fructose and sucrose, as well as
differing levels of aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. This ability
allows greater ease of selecting compatible stocks.[53]

[edit] In medicine

For at least 2700 years[citation needed], honey has been used by humans to treat a variety of
ailments through topical application, but only recently have the antiseptic and
antibacterial properties of honey been chemically explained.

In Ayurveda which is at least 4000 years old medicine originating from India, honey
is considered to affect positively in all three primitive material imbalances of the
body. "Vaatalam guru sheetam cha raktapittakaphapaham| Sandhatru cchedanam
ruksham kashayam madhuram madhu||" "It has sweetness with added astringent as
end taste. It is heavy, dry and cold. Its effect on doshas (imbalances) is that it
aggravates vata (air / moving forces), scrapes kapha (mucus / holding forces) and
normalizes pitta (catabolic fire) and rakta (blood). It promotes healing process."

Wound gels that contain antibacterial raw honey and have regulatory approval for
wound care are now available to help medicine in the battle against drug resistant
strains of bacteria MRSA. As an antimicrobial agent honey may have the potential for
treating a variety of ailments.[54] One New Zealand researcher says a particular type of
honey (Manuka honey) may be useful in treating MRSA infections.[55] Antibacterial
properties of honey are the result of the low water activity causing osmosis, hydrogen
peroxide effect,[56] high acidity,[57] and the antibacterial activity of methylglyoxal.[58]

Honey appears to be effective in killing drug-resistant biofilms which are implicated

in chronic rhinosinusitis.[59]

[edit] Osmotic effect

Honey is primarily a saturated mixture of two monosaccharides. This mixture has a

low water activity; most of the water molecules are associated with the sugars and few
remain available for microorganisms, so it is a poor environment for their growth. If
water is mixed with honey, it loses its low water activity, and therefore no longer
possesses this antimicrobial property.

[edit] Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is formed in a slow-release manner by the enzyme glucose

oxidase present in honey. It becomes active only when honey is diluted, requires
oxygen to be available for the reaction (thus it may not work under wound dressings,
in wound cavities or in the gut), is active only when the acidity of honey is neutralised
by body fluids, can be destroyed by the protein-digesting enzymes present in wound
fluids, and is destroyed when honey is exposed to heat and light.[58] Honey chelates
and deactivates free iron, which would otherwise catalyze the formation of oxygen
free radicals from hydrogen peroxide, leading to inflammation. Also, the antioxidant
constituents in honey help clean up oxygen free radicals present.[60]

C6H12O6 + H2O + O2 → C6H12O7 + H2O2 (glucose oxidase reaction)

When honey is used topically (as, for example, a wound dressing), hydrogen peroxide
is produced by dilution of the honey with body fluids. As a result, hydrogen peroxide
is released slowly and acts as an antiseptic.

[edit] In diabetic ulcers

Topical honey has been used successfully in a comprehensive treatment of diabetic

ulcers when the patient cannot use topical antibiotics.[61]

[edit] Acidity

The pH of honey is commonly between 3.2 and 4.5.[57] This relatively acidic pH level
prevents the growth of many bacteria.

[edit] Methylglyoxal

The non-peroxide antibiotic activity is due to methylglyoxal (MGO) and an

unidentified synergistic component. Most honeys contain very low levels of MGO,
but manuka honey contains very high levels. The presence of the synergist in manuka
honey more than doubles MGO antibacterial activity.[58]

[edit] Nutraceutical effects

Antioxidants in honey have even been implicated in reducing the damage done to the
colon in colitis.[62] Such claims are consistent with its use in many traditions of folk
medicine.[63]

[edit] For throats

Honey has also been used for centuries as a treatment for sore throats and coughs and,
according to recent research, may be an effective soothing agent for coughs.[64]

[edit] Other medical applications

Some studies suggest that the topical use of honey may reduce odors, swelling, and
scarring when used to treat wounds; it may also prevent the dressing from sticking to
the healing wound.[57]

Honey has been shown to be an effective treatment for conjunctivitis in rats.[65]

Unfiltered, pasteurized honey is widely believed to alleviate allergies, though neither

commercially filtered nor raw honey was shown to be more effective than placebo in
a controlled study of 36 participants with ocular allergies.[66] Nearly 1 in 3 of the
volunteers dropped out of the study because they couldn’t tolerate eating one
tablespoon of honey every day due to the overly sweet taste.[67] The official
conclusion: "This study does not confirm the widely held belief that honey relieves
the symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis." A more recent study has shown pollen
collected by bees to exert an anti allergenic effect, mediated by an inhibition of IgE
immunoglobulin binding to mast cells. This inhibited mast cell degranulation and thus
reduced allergic reaction.[68] The risk of experiencing anaphylaxis as an immune
system reaction may outweigh any potential allergy relief.[67]

A review in the Cochrane Library suggests that honey could reduce the time it takes
for a burn to heal - up to four days sooner in some cases. The review included 19
studies with 2,554 participants. Although the honey treatment healed moderate burns
faster than traditional dressings did, the author recommends viewing the findings with
caution, since a single researcher performed all of the burn studies

Countries listed below accounted for almost 65% of global honey output in 2005.

1. China … 298 thousand metric tonnes (21.5% of global honey

production)
2. Turkey … 82.3 thousand metric tonnes (5.9%)
3. Argentina … 80 thousand metric tonnes (5.8%)
4. United States … 79.2 thousand metric tonnes (5.7%)
5. Ukraine … 71.5 thousand metric tonnes (5.1%)
6. Russia … 52.1 thousand metric tonnes (3.8%)
7. India … 52 thousand metric tonnes (3.7%)
8. Mexico … 50.6 thousand metric tonnes (3.6%)
9. Ethiopia … 39 thousand metric tonnes (2.8%)
10. Spain … 37 thousand metric tonnes (2.7%).

Although Chinese authorities are implementing stricter controls, Chinese honey is

associated with chloramphenical – an antibiotic sprayed on bee hives. Banned from
food processing in many countries, chloramphenical can cause the fatal blood
condition aplastic anaemia.

The chloramphenical scare motivated the U.S. to ban Chinese honey in 2001. The
European Union (EU) outlawed People’s Republic honey from 2002 to 2003.

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Leading Honey Exporters

In 2004, the following nations exported the most honey by weight.

1. China … 81.3 thousand metric tonnes (24.2% of top ten total)

2. Argentina … 65.2 thousand metric tonnes (18.6%)
3. Mexico … 23.4 thousand metric tonnes (6.9%)
4. Germany … 22.4 thousand metric tonnes (6.6%)
5. Brazil … 21 thousand metric tonnes (6.2%)
6. Vietnam … 15.6 thousand metric tonnes (4.6%)
7. Hungary … 15 thousand metric tonnes (4.4%)
8. Canada … 14 thousand metric tonnes (4.2%)
9. Uruguay … 13.4 thousand metric tonnes (4%)
10. India … 10.4 thousand metric tonnes (3.1%).

The EU has accused about 10 honey exporters including Argentina, Vietnam,

Hungary and India of re-labelling and re-shipping contaminated honey originally from
China. Re-labelled honey with chloramphenical has been found in European ports,
shipments to honey blending companies and grocery stores. Light-coloured Chinese
honey re-labelled as Vietnamese honey (normally dark-coloured) also raised alarm
bells.

Laundering re-labelled Chinese honey circumvents trade bans. Also, Chinese honey
garners the lowest prices in global trade: US$1,094 per metric tonne in 2004. Re-
labelled as Argentine honey, the unit price per metric tonne almost doubles to $1,927.

China argues that competitive exporters like New Zealand are spreading false
rumours in an attempt to push Chinese honey off of global trade markets. New
Zealand honey dictates the highest prices on world markets ($6,813 in 2004).

Biggest Sweet Liquid Importers

The following countries spent the most on honey imports in 2004.

1. Germany … US$230.7 million (27.5% of top ten total)

2. United States … $149.6 million (17.8%)
3. United Kingdom … $75.1 million (8.9%)
4. Japan … $65 million (7.7%)
5. France … $54.5 million (6.5%)
6. Italy … $41.6 million (5%)
7. Spain … $31.5 million (3.7%)
8. Saudi Arabia … $26 million (3.1%)
9. Switzerland … $23.1 million (2.8%)
10. Netherlands … $56 million (3.7%).

The EU and countries such as America, Japan and Saudi Arabia depend heavily on
honey exports. For example, the National Honey Board reports that Americans
consume more than 400 million pounds of honey each year while U.S. annual honey
production is only 180 million pounds. Similarly, Britain produces a mere 10% of the
honey that Brits consume.

Importers must effectively test honey shipments, then stick with proven suppliers.
Contaminated honey exporters must be immediately reported via World Trade
Organization controls for disciplining

China

Production

China’s honey production in 1998 is forecast to decrease 25 percent

to 140,000 tons. This decrease is the result of poor weather
conditions and bee diseases. Production in 1997 is revised to
188,000 metric tons, an increase of 20 percent over the previous
estimate.

In order to promote the quality of Chinese honey and honey’s health

benefits, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has been
developing programs directed at increasing honey quality and
domestic consumption. The MOA plans to work with traders, honey
procurement stations, and the State Bureau of Commercial
Inspection to improve the overall quality of Chinese honey.
Additionally, the China Bee Products Association has made efforts to
organize self-disciplinary action among companies to improve
quality standards.

Trade

Chinese exports of honey have decreased in each the past three

years, but are forecast to rebound in 1998. Chinese exports are
forecast at 55,000 tons in 1998, a 13 percent increase over 1997.
However, exports are still significantly below previous years. Exports
have been hurt by increasing competition in international markets
and sluggish demand. The financial crisis in Asia has also had a
negative impact on Chinese honey exports, especially to the largest
market, Japan.

There has been a clear downward trend in China’s honey export

prices since the second half of 1997. Export prices in June of 1997
were roughly 1,563 dollars per ton, compared with about 1,150
dollars per ton for the first quarter of 1998. Low prices, in
combination with the mechanism that regulates Chinese honey
imports into the United States, adversely affected exports in 1997
and 1998. According to the Honey Suspension Agreement between
the United States and China, the price for honey exported from
China to the United States was determined by a reference point set
six months prior to actual trading. This made it very difficult for
Chinese exporters to ship to the United States in late 1997 and early
1998 because of the six month time lag of the export price
reference point. Consequently, as a result of negotiations, the
reference point used to set the export price was changed to 3
months prior to actual trading to increase the effectiveness of the
price setting arrangement.

Consumption

China’s domestic honey consumption in 1998 is forecast to increase

2 percent due to continued strong demand. Recently there has been
growth in specialty bee product shops and use of honey as a food
ingredient. Honey is viewed as a health food which increases its
appeal to consumers. The reduction of Chinese import tariffs from
55 to 25 percent in October 1997 signaled a positive development
for potential imports of honey into that market, especially high
quality, attractively packaged honey.

Canada

Production

Canada’s honey production in 1998 is forecast at 33,000 tons, 10

percent above the 1997 output. Favorable rainfall and temperature
conditions in the major Canadian honey producing areas resulted in
good conditions for bee activity and higher yields.

Trade

Canada’s honey exports in 1998 are forecast at 9,000 tons, 22

percent above the previous year’s shipments. The United States and
Germany are expected to account for most of this increase. In 1997
exports totaled 7,407 tons, a 35 percent decrease from 1996. This
decline reflects reduced re-exports to the United States of honey
that has been blended from Canadian and lower priced, imported
Chinese honey.

Honey imports in 1997 totaled 1,991 tons, sharply below the record
13,411 tons in 1996. Honey imports in 1998 are forecast to remain
at a level similar to 1997. In 1996, Canadian imports of Chinese
honey, which had risen steadily in recent years, peaked at 10,918
tons. Since then, the Ontario company which blended imported
Chinese honey with Canadian honey for export went bankrupt
following the loss of its major buyer in the United States. This
change has significantly affected the level of imports from China.

Canada has no quantitative restrictions on honey imports from the

United States, but market opportunities for U.S. honey remain
limited, reflecting Canada’s surplus production position and a strong
U.S. dollar. Prospects in the food service and specialty food markets
remain fair.

Canada has banned imports of live U.S. bees since 1987 due to the
presence of Varroa mite in certain U.S. states. Canada allows the
importation of queen bees only from Hawaii under strict health
measures. The Government of Canada has been extending the
import ban at two year intervals, with the current honeybee import
prohibition order expiring in December 1999.

Argentina

Production

Honey production in 1998 is forecast at 60,000 tons, 14 percent

below the revised 1997 output. Unfavorable weather conditions
during 1998 negatively impacted honey production and decreased
yields from 35.9 kg/colony to 31.9 kg/colony.

Trade

Argentina was the world’s largest exporter of honey last year and is
expected to remain the world’s largest honey exporter in 1998.
Exports in 1998 are forecast at 58,000 tons, 17 percent lower than
the revised 1997 shipments, due in large part to the decrease in this
year’s production. Most of the Argentine honey is exported in bulk in
300 kilogram drums. Only a small amount of honey is packaged in
jars and exported to Brazil. Honey is exported during the entire year
with the heaviest export flow taking place between March and May.
The United States was the main import market in 1997, accounting
for 67 percent of total shipments. Other key export markets include
Germany, Italy, the UK, and Japan.

Consumption

Only about 4 percent of Argentina’s honey production is consumed

domestically. Honey consumption has remained relatively stable
due to competition from sugar, which continues to be the cheapest
sweetener available in Argentina. However, consumption is
expected to decline slightly in 1998 because of the reduced supply.

Mexico

Production
Honey production in 1998 is forecast at 56,500 tons, 5 percent
above the revised 1997 estimate. The increase in production in
1998 is mainly due to favorable weather conditions in Mexico’s
major honey producing regions, which induced early and rapid
blooming of flowers.

Mexican producers are currently gaining an increased level of

knowledge and experience in dealing with the serious problems of
the Varroa mite and the Africanization of apiaries. Small and non-
traditional hobbyist producers continue to leave the industry
because of lack of experience with these issues, while the remaining
producers are more equipped to implement the necessary control
practices. However, production of queen bees, which are used to
prevent Africanization of beehives, is still insufficient to cover
domestic demand. The Varroa mite is present throughout Mexico’s
honey producing regions, with the exception of the states of Baja
California Sur and Quintana Roo, but state and government
assistance has helped to make some headway in combating
infestations and increasing output.

Trade

Exports of honey in 1998 are forecast at 25,000 tons, 10 percent

above 1997 shipments. In 1998, export prices were more attractive
than domestic prices and this again shifted supply to the
international market. Major export markets for Mexican honey
include Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Saudi
Arabia. Mexico’s honey industry largely focuses on international
markets because honey is more expensive than other sweeteners,
such as sugar, in the domestic market.

Germany

Production

Germany’s honey production in 1998 is forecast at 15,000 tons, only

marginally below the previous year’s output of 15,069 tons. Cold
and rainy spring weather contributed to relatively low production
and yields in the past two years. Additionally, the number of
apiarists and number of commercial colonies have both showed a
slow decline in recent years, contributing to lower production.

Trade

Germany, the world’s largest importer of honey is forecast to

increase imports slightly in 1998, to 85,000 metric tons. The bulk of
imports are from Argentina, China, and Mexico and arrive in large
 containers that are processed further before
domestic sale or re-export. Imports from the
United States in 1997 totaled 110 tons. The
German market provides opportunities for
U.S. honey processors, especially if the honey
is marketed in attractive jars (i.e., appealing
to children) or plastic containers in consumer-
friendly sizes.

Germany exported 13,059 tons in 1997 and is

forecast to export 12,000 tons in 1998, with most going to other
European Union countries such as the Netherlands, Austria, and
France.

United States

Production

The first official estimate of 1998 U.S. honey

production, based on an objective survey, will
not be available from the National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) until
February 1999.

Weather conditions were variable throughout

the country for the 1998 season, but yields
are expected to increase slightly. Most
sources expect production in 1998 to be approximately 89,000 tons,
slightly above last year’s output.

According to industry sources, the number of apiarists and bee

colonies continues to decline. Small apiarists continue to leave the
market because of the variability in prices and the increasing cost
and time needed to maintain colonies that are highly productive and
free of pests. Decreasing colony numbers are mainly the result of an
increased use of pesticides, increasing losses from mites, and rising
production costs.

Nearly half of all bee colonies and more than half of all U.S. honey
production in the United States is located in California, Florida,
Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Trade

Exports of U.S. honey in 1998 are forecast at 4,500 tons, a 11

percent increase from last year’s shipments and roughly equal to
1996 exports. U.S. imports in 1998 are forecast at 60,000 tons, a 21
percent reduction from 1997's record level. Large beginning stocks
and increased domestic production contributed to the decreased
demand for imports in 1998. Honey imports from China and
Argentina, where 1998 production declined due to unfavorable
weather, account for much of the decrease.

Consumption

The United States is one of the world’s largest markets for industrial
honey. This sector accounts for approximately 45 percent of total
domestic consumption. The primary users of industrial honey are
bakery, health food, and cereal manufacturers. Other users such as
the food service industry account for another 10 percent of
domestic consumption. However, individual consumers who
purchase small amounts of honey for personal use also significantly
contribute to overall consumption in the United States.

Market Opportunities

Weather in Sweden and Finland during the summer of 1998 was

unusually wet and cold and had a detrimental affect on honey
production. Imports are expected to increase by 50 to 70 percent,
possibly reaching a high of 5,000 tons. The United States exported
79 tons to Sweden in 1997 and 75 tons in the first 7 months of
1998. Though both Sweden and Finland are small markets for U.S.
honey, the lower production allows for possibility of capturing a
greater part of that market.

A reduction of the tariff rate for honey in the Philippines will bring
the rate from the current 20 percent to 15 percent in 1999 and 10
percent in 2000. Although the Philippines imports less than 100
metric tons per year from the United States, this provides greater
access and the prospect of increased U.S. exports in the future.
Top 10 Honey Producing Countries 2005
COUNTRY PRODUCTION (2005 in tons)
1. China 522,849
2. US 142,912
3. Argentina 139,426
4. Turkey 128,846
5. Ukraine 105,445
6. Mexico 99,007
7. Russia 92,370
8. India 90,627
9. Ethiopia 67,970
10. Spain 64,485