What is UMF®?
UMF® stands for Unique Mānuka factor and is the global, independent quality standard for Mānuka Honey.
To receive a UMF® certification, the Mānuka honey must contain all three signature UMF® compounds: Leptosperin, DHA and Methylglyoxal (MGO).
Buying certified UMF® Mānuka honey guarantees that you are getting genuine honey with all its associated benefits.
Mānuka Honey Production at Happy Valley
At Happy Valley, we are proud to manage the full honey production process. From our bees to our skilled beekeepers and honey extraction team, we produce our UMF® honey in a natural, sustainable way.
We send every batch of our Mānuka Honey for independent testing, to ensure it meets both our own and UMF’s standards for purity and quality.
Our rating system
We know, its super confusing out there. Not every jar producer or jar of honey uses the same rating system - and not every rating system is equal. Some are just a content claim. We agree- it doesn’t make your job easy and that’s why we use the UMF ® Grading System. It’s an independent association and industry best practice in New Zealand. The UMF ® Grading System meets a strict Code of Practice set by the UMF Honey Association in NZ, and they conduct regular, independent audits. Buying UMF ® Mānuka honey assures you that you have purchased genuine, quality Mānuka honey from New Zealand. Our UMF ® label proves we’re not just saying it meets the UMF rating - it does. If you’d like to know more, check out our research and explanation of honey grading systems such as MGO and UMF.
UMF 5+
Everyday happiness
UMF 10+
UMF 15+
Targeted happiness
UMF 20+
UMF 24+
Boosted happiness
How to Identify Genuine UMF® Mānuka Honey.
Follow these steps to check whether your Mānuka Honey is UMF® certified:
- 1. Look for the quality UMF® trademark clearly stated on the front label
- 2. Check that the honey is packaged and labelled in New Zealand
- 3. See where the honey is produced by a New Zealand company that is licensed to use the UMF® trademark. You can find the list of licensed members here.
- 4. Look for the UMF® licensee’s brand name and license number – these should be on the front label
- 5. Finally, alongside the UMF® logo, there must be a rating number such as 5+ or 15+.
Why does not all Mānuka Honey has a UMF® Rating
Some honey does not contain enough MGO to receive a UMF® grade and is best used as a general sweetener without the benefits of UMF® rated honey.
Other companies choose to only state the MGO levels in their Mānuka Honey – however, this honey is rarely independently tested.
Choosing a honey product with a UMF® rating ensures you are buying genuine Mānuka Honey, verified by the internationally valued UMF® grading system for purity and quality.
Why does UMF® Certified Mānuka Honey cost more?
Mānuka Honey often costs more than standard honey for several reasons.
The native New Zealand Mānuka bush flourishes in remote, high-altitude areas, and only flowers for two to six weeks annually. These factors make it incredibly challenging for beekeepers to obtain and process pure Mānuka Honey.
The powerful health benefits of honey derived from the Mānuka bush also contribute to its high demand.
MGO to UMF® conversion chart
For reference, see below equivalent ratings for the MGO versus UMF® grading system.
At Happy Valley Honey, we are proud to ship high-quality, certified UMF® Mānuka Honey to families throughout New Zealand and internationally.
Shop our UMF 5+, UMF 10+, UMF 15+, UMF 18+ and UMF 20+ grades today to enjoy the delicious, rich taste and health benefits of Mānuka Honey in regular or squeezy honey form.
Shop our UMF® Mānuka Honey Range Today!
Browse our site for the latest offers. Add your orders for Mānuka honey, propolis and royal jelly from Happy Valley to your cart today! We deliver our honey to your table, with reliable domestic and international shipping available.
