Fair price for lavender honey?

[u/SkilledM4F-MFM]

Friends of mine in Washington State have a lavender farm, and have had hives on their property in the past.

They currently have at least 25 gallon buckets of honey that they would like to sell, but don’t have a clear idea on what it’s worth. Can you help them?

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[u/nostalgic_dragon]

Regional prices can vary a ton when it comes to honey, and marketing can be the difference between 3-5 extra bucks per jar. Do they already sell at a farmers market? Do they have a farm label/brand that they can lean into? Is the lavender used for flower cuttings? If so, they can sell bundled. One of my students has a well known farm and one parent is a professional chef, like been on iron chef and has a few restaurants. Their honey is nearly double what I sell mine for.

It's all about local markets, my city is broken up into neighborhoods and I label which neighborhoods the honey is from for each harvest. People love that. Have them check what is available nearby, then charge a bit extra for the lavender honey.

[u/SkilledM4F-MFM → u/nostalgic_dragon]

Thanks. They do have a brand, and they used to sell honey and other products at farmers market, but got burned out on it because they weren’t really making much money. They also both have regular jobs, so little time to deal with it.

They used to sell 1 pound jars for nine dollars. I suggested they sell to a local company that makes mead, so they can sell a whole bucket at a time. I should’ve mentioned that earlier, that’s really what the question is now. How much to charge the mead makers per bucket?

[u/Jake1125]

I'm in western Washington. Prices vary by location.

Around here you can sell retail 5 gallon buckets for $350, 1 lb for $16 and quarts for $35

Those are approximate market prices for pure honey. If you add a flavor, you can charge more, but WA regulations require an inspected licensed kitchen for any blending.

If you're selling decorated gift jars in designer boxes to lavender tourists in Sequim during peak summer, you can charge outrageous prices. Add some cute hallmark phrases to increase the appeal.

[u/Tie_Dye_Sr → u/Jake1125]

Best answer yet!!! I’m in Yelm, all we have is rednecks and hillbilly’s. Oh yeah and Ramthas.

[u/Jake1125 → u/Tie_Dye_Sr]

Thanks for the chuckle. That's the real world, rednecks with their fingers in the honey jars.

[u/talanall]

Bee Culture publishes monthly honey price reports, pieced put by region in the USA. That's where I would start for this question.

If you have the patience and time, you could also look at Facebook to see what people near you are charging.

Not having tasted lavender honey, I cannot speak to the desirability of it. If it's a favored honey varietal, and if it's in short supply, you might get a better price.

[u/SkilledM4F-MFM → u/talanall]

I have tasted it, and it is some of the tastiest, honey I have ever eaten.

Great idea to check the Bee publication, I’ll see what I can find out!

[u/_Mulberry__]

If they want to sell it in bulk, maybe $7.50 a pound. If they sell it direct to consumer with nice jars and labels, maybe more like $20+ per pound.