Elite genetics for manuka honey and essential oil production

Opportunity for

• Investors interested in investing in the ManukaLife company
• Nurseries interested in producing and distributing elite Leptospermum genetics
• Plantation companies and large-scale landholders (farming, mining etc.) interested in developing essential oil / Manuka honey producing plantations
• Cosmetic, pharmaceutical and medical companies interested in developing new products

Opportunity description

Industry challenge: Manuka honey is one of the world’s highest naturally occurring antibacterial products and there is strong global demand for high grade manuka honey and oil. Australian manuka honey production areas have been severely impacted by bushfires and land clearing practices in recent years. This threatens the supply of manuka honey and oil for pharmaceutical and medical applications.

Current opportunity: AgriFutures Australia and ManukaLife instigated an intensive breeding and selection program to develop elite Leptospermum genetics that exhibit longer flowering periods, higher nectar volumes, and higher methylglyoxal (MGO) content than the native species currently being used. Opportunities exist for a range of organisations to either engage with ManukaLife to rapidly expand the establishment of plantations in Australia or partner to develop new cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Other opportunities: While the elite lines have been extensively tested in Australia, opportunity exists for international organisations to establish plantations in other countries.