The True Honey Co., one of the world’s leading premium mānuka honey producers, today announced a major Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) expansion in 2023. As part of the rapid growth plans across the region and to mark the occasion, the New Zealand brand has broken their own world record and are launching a Rare Harvest mānuka Honey vintage rated at 2050+MGO – the new highest grade mānuka honey available globally.
Sourced from remote native forests across New Zealand, The True Honey Co.’s premium mānuka honey combines nature’s medicine with modern science to unlock the true value of mānuka and its health benefits.
The True Honey Co. products will now be available in the UAE following a partnership with Alfa One in the region. Products will be sold in 70 Aster Pharmacies, with plans to extend into 200 stores in the UAE. Four of the seven jarred mānuka honey range is available in store now, with more targeted mānuka wellness products becoming available later this year.
“We’re looking forward to sharing our premium mānuka honey products with more customers across the Middle East,” said Jim McMillan, Founder of The True Honey Co. “We are looking forward to connecting with customers who understand that prioritising their health isn’t indulgent, but essential and worth the investment.”
Aster Pharmacy is the largest pharmacy network in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is a one-stop shop for all health products.
Welcoming the new products to Aster Pharmacies across the UAE, Mr. NS Balasubramanian, CEO, Aster Pharmacies, Alfa One, said: “We are pleased to launch ‘The True Honey Co.’ brand of mānuka honey from New Zealand in Aster Pharmacies and other leading stores in the UAE.”
“It boosts the immune system by enhancing resistance to common infections and soothes sore throats.” The True Honey Co. product range aligns with the health and wellness space of Aster Pharmacy. Educating consumers on the benefits of mānuka honey remains a focus for the brand,” he added.
The New Zealand brands’ legacy partnership with Nahdi Pharmacies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was established over four years ago. The partnership with Nahdi, one of KSA’s leading pharmacy chains, is a success story based on mānuka category growth and increased customer traffic to purchase the brand.
In 2022, The True Honey Co. accounted for 74% of the total export value of New Zealand Manuka honey into Saudi Arabia1.
“Our partnership is an excellent example of retailer-manufacturer collaboration and co-creation, adding beats to our guests, while creating shareholder value,” said Hani Ismael, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Nahdi Medical Company.
Nahdi is the largest retail pharmacy chain in Saudi Arabia, operating in over 1,100 stores in 144 cities and villages across the Kingdom, exceeding all guests’ expectations by providing superior personalized life care experience every day everywhere.
The True Honey Co. also holds strong partnerships in Oman, partnering with Muscat Pharmacy group, and a partnership with Abu Issa in Qatar where their products are sold in Blue Salon department stores, Gold Gourmet and Asala Honey specialty shops.
As part of the growth and expansion in the region, True Honey has launched a dedicated website for the Middle East.
