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:

GradeWater content

Flavor & AromaAbsence of

DefectsClarity

A < 18.6%

Good – has a good, normal flavor and aroma for the predominant floral source and is free from caramelization, smoke, fermentation, chemicals and other odor causes

Practically free - practically no defects that affect appearance or edibility

Clear - may contain air bubbles that do not materially affect the appearance; may contain a trace of pollen grains or other finely divided particles of suspended material that do not affect appearance

B < 18.6%

Reasonably good – practically free from caramelization; free from smoke, fermentation, chemicals, and other causes

Reasonably free - do not materially affect appearance or edibility

Reasonably clear - may contain air bubbles, pollen grains, or other finely divided particles of suspended material that do not materially affect appearance

C < 20.0%

Fairly good - reasonably free from caramelization; free from smoke, fermentation, chemicals, and other causes

Fairly free - do not seriously affect the appearance or edibility

Fairly clear -may contain air bubbles, pollen grains, or other finely divided particles of suspended material that do not seriously 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.

Read on 

Capping US Farm Subsidies Top Soybean Countries World Fishery Trade Riches

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