The Scale of the Midlands Honey Operation

When you’re running a business that relies on steady, world-class honey supply and production, you need a brand partner you can trust. 

It’s not just about getting the honey; it’s about getting the right kind of honey, in large quantities, every time. That’s where Midlands Apiaries has operated for many years - and has done so with outstanding results. 

We’re not just a small honey producer nestled within the beautiful Ashburton landscape in New Zealand’s South Island. We’re a powerhouse of large scale honey production, ensuring that businesses across the globe have access to the finest Mānuka honey products. 

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to show you just how vast the Midlands operation is and why we’re the premier bulk honey supplier New Zealand businesses and international brands can rely on. 

Harvesting & Supply Chain: The Foundation Of Our Operation

Our journey begins with our extensive network of beekeeping partners spread across New Zealand. We work closely with these dedicated individuals, ensuring their ethical practices prioritise the health of our bees and their surrounding environment. 

This expansive network is the backbone of our wholesale honey supply, allowing us to gather the finest raw materials, particularly our renowned Mānuka honey. 

Imagine specialised trucks crisscrossing the country, collecting honey from specific hives. These hives aren’t just placed anywhere; they’re strategically placed in areas where the Mānuka flower thrives - oftentimes remote locations that our beekeepers can only access by helicopter. 

This meticulous approach ensures that we capture the unique properties and exceptional quality that Mānuka honey is known for. Our commitment to a strong supply chain is what makes us a reliable high-volume honey supply partner. 

If you’re keen to learn more about our beekeeping practices, get in touch and our team will happily provide more in-depth information around how we harvest our honey with great integrity.

Scientific Rigor: Ensuring Authenticity and Purity

Once harvested, every drop of honey that enters our facilities will undergo rigorous testing in our state-of-the-art laboratory. 

The key words behind our laboratory’s mission is “quality control”. Our advanced in-house lab teams will conduct a comprehensive range of tests, measuring each batch of Mānuka honey to determine its authenticity, potency, shelf-life, and freshness. 

We’ll ensure this criteria meets both your specific requirements and the highest standards of domestic and international markets. We even go the extra mile by having our results independently verified by IANZ-certified laboratories. 

This rigorous process guarantees that our honey consistently meets the most demanding quality standards worldwide. We operate under a strict HACCP-based Risk Management Programme, and we’re proud to be a Level 3 SQF-certified food production facility, fully licensed by the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries. 

Our methodical, scientific approach is our way of ensuring that our Mānuka honey gives our customers complete confidence in our products - no matter the type and quantity of their order. 

Elite Production Facilities: Where Honey Meets Innovation

Once the honey arrives at our advanced facilities, the real magic begins. 

We operate a state-of-the-art packing facility that’s capable of producing a staggering 4,000 metric tonnes of honey each year - or roughly 24,000 jars of quality Mānuka honey a day. 

This large scale honey production is supported by cutting edge equipment and rigorous quality control measures. 

From automation to world-class camera technology, Midlands has revolutionised the way honey is produced and packaged. Our process engineer, Kendall, recently revealed a number of technological advancements that our business has made in recent years, which sets Midlands apart from other honey brands, as well as many New Zealand and international food suppliers. 

“We have a cobot (collaborative robot), for example, that stacks finished goods cartons onto pallets for us,” said Kendall. 

“It’s used for manual processes. It’s got the benefit of health and safety, but also accuracy - it can stack pallets the same, every time. It means you’re putting together something that is more presentable to the customer than if a human does it by hand.”

In another case, Midlands also recently introduced a high-spec visual inspection system that inspects every jar of honey and compares them to parameters that are predetermined by the production team. 

“This is quite advanced for honey - a lot of larger companies, like Coca Cola, have used this technology for a while, but all they’ll use it for are lines of cans - which is quite easy to set up.”

“Our products are unique because we have a huge range of jar shapes and sizes, which adds a high level of complexity to what we’re doing. Our machine is purpose-built for our plant. I like to think this is one of the reasons we stand ahead of the rest.”

It’s this dedication to innovation and efficiency that allows Midlands to become a leading high-volume honey supplier. It ensures Midlands remains at the forefront of the honey industry, producing each customer with the most reliable service possible. 

Quality Assurance: Uncompromising Compliance

We take honey quality very seriously - as previously revealed through our laboratory process. But we take this a step further through our dedicated in-house quality assurance team, charged with meticulously supervising every step of the production process. 

Our commitment to compliance is evident in our consistently high audit scores, including a 99% compliance rate in our most recent SQF audit - almost unheard of in our industry. We’re also SQF Level 3 certified, placing us in the top percentile for food safety compliance. 

"When you’re purchasing from Midlands, you’re purchasing genuine quality," says Technical Manager, Beth Mitchell. 

Her high-performing team ensures every stage, from harvesting to packing, is rigorously checked. We also maintain complete traceability from hive to shelf, so you know exactly where your honey comes from.

This is crucial for businesses looking for a reliable custom honey supplier, especially those in the private label grocery sector or those acting as a contract food manufacturer. If you’re a business that fits these industries, get in touch to learn how Midlands could support your retail efforts.

Export Expertise: Bringing New Zealand Honey to the World

Our expertise extends beyond production to the complexities of international trade. 

We have a dedicated in-house exports team that handles all aspects of international shipments. We understand the intricacies of regulations, particularly US import regulations and FDA approval. 

"We’re typically really responsive and the sales desk does a great job of providing all the documents and timing them through the shipping and testing process," says Nick, our Business Development Manager.

Midlands is also part of the Secure Exports Scheme, which streamlines the export process and builds trust with border control agencies. This expertise allows us to seamlessly deliver our wholesale honey supply to businesses around the world. 

Custom Label Production & Sales Support: Your Partners for Success

We understand that every business has unique needs. That’s why we offer a range of customisation and private label solutions. Whether you’re a private label grocery brand or a contract food manufacturer, we can provide the perfect Mānuka honey product for your needs. 

We offer a variety of Mānuka honey products, including different UMF grades and formats like lozenges and skincare products. We’ve also launched our own retail brands - PURITI, Primal by Nature and Mount Somers - demonstrating our ability to craft and advertise compelling brands. 

But we don’t just supply honey; we also offer comprehensive support to help your business succeed. 

Our knowledgeable sales and marketing team can assist with brand development, market launches and everything in between. We have an extensive network of honey supplies and laboratories, ensuring all of your honey needs can be met. 

We truly are a flexible, custom honey supplier that can be trusted by all brands - big and small. 

Midlands Apiaries: Your Trusted Honey Partner

At Midlands Apiaries, we’re more than just the bulk honey supplier New Zealand and international brands have grown to trust. 

We’re a partner you can rely on for consistently quality, high-volume supply and expert support. Our immense operation capacity, commitment to reliability and innovative approaches make us the ideal choice for businesses that seek a reliable honey supplier. 

Whether you need wholesale honey supply, high-volume honey supply or a custom honey supplier, we’re here to help. Contact us today and learn how we can support your business with our exceptional Mānuka products and services. 

We are a bulk honey supplier that has the resources, experience and capacity to handle all of your business’ needs.