Bulk honey price –-london/south east

[Hombre]

Shhhhh, don't mention the honey price fixing cartel . . .

 

[psafloyd]

What about all the companies that fix their prices then?

What has that to do with me, Veg? If you want to debate that, start your own thread, as I'm only after market prices.

Actually, would be interesting to have an anonymous database on regional prices.

 

[Chris B]

Market prices are subject to change according to supply and demand.
You can charge whatever you like, according to your own circumstances. Keep the honey if the market rate is too low for you, and that will create pressure for the market rate to rise.

Having said that, a bucket rate would be about 50% of retail jar rate, as a rough rule of thumb.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Having said that, a bucket rate would be about 50% of retail jar rate, as a rough rule of thumb.

There you are psafloyd
Charge them half what you sell your jarred honey for

 

[VEG]

What has that to do with me, Veg? If you want to debate that, start your own thread, as I'm only after market prices.

Actually, would be interesting to have an anonymous database on regional prices.

Chill out it was aimed at the other poster who thinks it shouldn't be discussed


Craig

 

[Russel]

Unfortunately I'd have to compete against plenty who would think themselves doing quite well to get £2.30/lb

...... and therein lies the problem. "We" all know our honey should command a better price but it gets devalued by those that will sell for £2/lb in the bucket and there's one about 15/20mls from me, allegedly selling £2.30 jarred & del'd, according to a shop owner that approached us at local market. Needless to say we won't/don't supply that shop.
We all suffer from if I can buy the "same" thing for less why pay more?
So I don't sell bulk, but do supply a small deli in Cardiff, doorstep and the monthly's at £5 for 12oz. At our last 2 day'er, Usk xmas fayre, we sold a total of 81 units: 75 12oz runny & creamed, 5 comb and 1lb runny local association against another trader. We also sell soaps, creams, balms etc.

 

[jd101k2000]

I don't know if this would work for you but it did when I was assisting in the selling of mead... if you are selling at a fair then speak with the passers by. I have been to a number of fairs recently where the stall holders continued conversations among themselves while the passers by passed by. Have at least two types for people to taste. (If necessary get food grade wooden sticks and don't allow double-dipping.) Have a story about your honey... what is its journey from flower to jar. (You may get bored with the story after you have heard it a hundred times, but it will be the first time for your 'prospect'). Talk about the differences in the flavours. Then 'which did you prefer?'. Finally, 'which do you want to buy?' People who initially sneered at the price of our mead made excuses to run out to the ATM to get money. When people know WHY your honey is different and can TASTE the difference they want it at proper prices. (My theory, anyway )

 

[Russel]

I don't know if this would work for you but it did when I was assisting in the selling of mead... if you are selling at a fair then speak with the passers by. I have been to a number of fairs recently where the stall holders continued conversations among themselves while the passers by passed by. Have at least two types for people to taste. (If necessary get food grade wooden sticks and don't allow double-dipping.) Have a story about your honey... what is its journey from flower to jar. (You may get bored with the story after you have heard it a hundred times, but it will be the first time for your 'prospect'). Talk about the differences in the flavours. Then 'which did you prefer?'. Finally, 'which do you want to buy?' People who initially sneered at the price of our mead made excuses to run out to the ATM to get money. When people know WHY your honey is different and can TASTE the difference they want it at proper prices. (My theory, anyway )

Tasting converts many a honey "hater" . Oddly we sold more of the "really" local, colonies within 1ml of town, than the better tasting honey from 5mls further away.
Yes we engage everyone we can and invite them in and try our produce.
I've also noticed that a lot of traders sit behind their stalls, usually invisible to the customer, we stand all day, are highly visible, vocal and not many escape.

 

[victor meldrew]

When the high street had small shops, a retailer,if asked "if you buy an item for £1 and sell it for £2 what % profit have you made?" his reply would have been " 50% " where as you and I would consider it to be 100%.
When challenged he would reply " I sold it for £2 and bought it for half that figure therefore my profit I'd 50% "
VM.

 

[psafloyd]

Chill out it was aimed at the other poster who thinks it shouldn't be discussed

Craig

I'm cool, Craig. Sorry if it came across snappy –-long day yesterday with the missus having a major op and didn't get up to see her until late.

 

[psafloyd]

So I thought. Will have a think.

Market prices are subject to change according to supply and demand.
You can charge whatever you like, according to your own circumstances. Keep the honey if the market rate is too low for you, and that will create pressure for the market rate to rise.

Having said that, a bucket rate would be about 50% of retail jar rate, as a rough rule of thumb.

 

[psafloyd]

How do you get round the issues of creams, etc, Russell?

...... and therein lies the problem. "We" all know our honey should command a better price but it gets devalued by those that will sell for £2/lb in the bucket and there's one about 15/20mls from me, allegedly selling £2.30 jarred & del'd, according to a shop owner that approached us at local market. Needless to say we won't/don't supply that shop.
We all suffer from if I can buy the "same" thing for less why pay more?
So I don't sell bulk, but do supply a small deli in Cardiff, doorstep and the monthly's at £5 for 12oz. At our last 2 day'er, Usk xmas fayre, we sold a total of 81 units: 75 12oz runny & creamed, 5 comb and 1lb runny local association against another trader. We also sell soaps, creams, balms etc.

 

[psafloyd]

I have noticed that. My brother in law hates honey, but he likes mine. A lot.

Tasting converts many a honey "hater" . Oddly we sold more of the "really" local, colonies within 1ml of town, than the better tasting honey from 5mls further away.
Yes we engage everyone we can and invite them in and try our produce.
I've also noticed that a lot of traders sit behind their stalls, usually invisible to the customer, we stand all day, are highly visible, vocal and not many escape.

 

[mbc]

Shhhhh, don't mention the honey price fixing cartel . . .

Maybe you said it in jest, but this is exactly what we need.
While the packers can divide and conquer, local honey will only be marginally dearer than imported.
One of the curiosities of beekeeping is that many do it for the love of it and have no need/wish to maximise the price potential. These people make it a harder landscape for beekeepers wishing to make a living selling honey to actually do so.
I repeat, over 80% of honey on the UK market is imported, IIRC the EU average is ~ 60%, so we have some way to go to even approach parity in this regard with our closest neighbours and yet our home produced honey is relatively inexpensive.
Considering this, would a price fixing cartel be a bad thing ?

 

[Russel]

How do you get round the issues of creams, etc, Russell?

They've all been tested & certified etc in accordance with the relevant regs however the honey well........er hmm!
Oh one local authority did ask for Hygiene cert, obtained online £15 and 1hr wasted, suppose it ticks a box for someone?

 

[VEG]

I'm cool, Craig. Sorry if it came across snappy –-long day yesterday with the missus having a major op and didn't get up to see her until late.

No probs mate hope she has a quick recovery

 

[VEG]

Oh one local authority did ask for Hygiene cert, obtained online £15 and 1hr wasted, suppose it ticks a box for someone?

I dont recall it being a legal requirement to sell to shops or anyone else, the shops etc may ask if you have one though.

 

[VEG]

Maybe you said it in jest, but this is exactly what we need.
While the packers can divide and conquer, local honey will only be marginally dearer than imported.
One of the curiosities of beekeeping is that many do it for the love of it and have no need/wish to maximise the price potential. These people make it a harder landscape for beekeepers wishing to make a living selling honey to actually do so.
I repeat, over 80% of honey on the UK market is imported, IIRC the EU average is ~ 60%, so we have some way to go to even approach parity in this regard with our closest neighbours and yet our home produced honey is relatively inexpensive.
Considering this, would a price fixing cartel be a bad thing ?

A minimum rrp would be a good place to start lol

 

[VEG]

...... there's one about 15/20mls from me, allegedly selling £2.30 jarred & del'd, according to a shop owner that approached us at local market.

At that price you may as well buy it all off him unlabelled (ask for discount lol) and sell it on

 

[Erichalfbee]

Considering this, would a price fixing cartel be a bad thing ?

Our association honey fete and a well known Welsh Honey Fair stipulate a minimum price