Within the expansive domain of organic food, one product stands out for its soaring popularity - honey. Revered since ancient times for its exceptional taste and numerous health benefits, this golden elixir is witnessing an unprecedented surge in demand in the Indian market. Valued at an impressive Rs. 2,300 crores and projected to grow at a remarkable CAGR of 8 to 10 percent over the next five to seven years, the honey market in India holds immense potential. However, as the demand for honey escalates, so do the challenges consumers face in discerning the quality and authenticity of the honey they purchase.
Amidst these challenges, one company shines as a beacon of excellence in the honey industry - Nature’s Nectar. Part of the esteemed Kejriwal Group, Nature’s Nectar has revolutionized the sector by emphasizing quality and innovation, addressing the pressing issues honey consumers face worldwide. Nature’s Nectar confronts one of the major concerns of adulteration in the Indian honey market by adhering to stringent quality standards and championing honey education.
At the forefront of combating adulteration, Nature’s Nectar introduces an innovative solution - a QR code accompanying each bottle of honey. “Each bottle of honey packaged by the company comes with a QR code that reveals the NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) testing results for that specific bottle,” informs Prakash Kejriwal, managing director of Nature’s Nectar.
Originally designed for products like olive oil and wine, NMR testing is an advanced method capable of detecting any form of adulteration, ensuring the purity and authenticity of the honey. Furthermore, each batch of honey undergoes independent testing in German laboratories, with a test certificate attached to every bottle, further augmenting transparency and consumer trust.
Educating the Entire Chain
Nature’s Nectar places great importance on educating the younger generation about honey’s true essence and benefits as well as the beekeepers about ensuring quality.
“A lot of honey quality depends on how it is collected from the beekeeper, and beekeepers in India are mostly in the hinterlands,” says Kejriwal. “We are educating them about the quality, how to produce good honey, give them better hives so that the honey they produce is of better quality, and at the end provides better remuneration.”
A case in point is Nature’s Nectar’s work with the beekeepers of Sunderbans. During the quest to source organic honey, the Kejriwal Group ventured into the Sundarbans region, initiating a notable corporate social responsibility (CSR) program focused on beekeeping training. This initiative aimed to revitalize the Sunderbans following the devastation caused by the Aila storm while simultaneously providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local inhabitants.
Backed by the vision of providing better remuneration to beekeepers, the company sparked a remarkable turnaround in the country's honey industry. 25 years ago, India's honey production stood at 8,000 MT, with honey prices lower than those of sugar and sugar syrups. However, with Kejriwal Bee Care's entry into the export, significant changes began to take place. The increased demand for high-quality honey from India, fueled by buoyant exports, resulted in a substantial boost in honey production. Today, India's honey production has skyrocketed to an impressive 130,000 MT.
Each bottle of honey packaged by the company comes with a QR code that reveals the NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) testing results for that specific bottle
Innovation at the Core
Since its establishment in 1996, Nature’s Nectar has grown remarkably, leading the charge as India’s first organized honey exporter. The company oversees an annual handling capacity of approximately 16,000 MT. With a cutting-edge laboratory facility in Rajpura, Punjab, boasting a daily production capacity of 100 MT, Nature’s Nectar ensures meticulous traceability of every batch, from farm to fork, to uphold the unwavering quality that aligns with customer trust. Before packaging, each batch undergoes comprehensive testing and analysis in German Labs and their futuristic Lab, examining parameters such as C3/C4 sugars, antibiotics, pesticides, and chemicals.
This commitment to international export quality, combined with NMR compliance, has solidified Nature’s Nectar as one of India’s most reputable brands in terms of honey purity and led them to esteemed markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the US, and Japan. Nature’s Nectar is championing transparency and uncompromising quality. With its resolute commitment to transparency, quality, and educating stakeholders, Nature's Nectar’s mini ‘honey revolution’ is taking place in the country, aligning with the honorable Prime Minister's vision and dreams of a thriving sweet revolution.
Prakash Kejriwal, Managing Director
Prakash Kejriwal, the visionary managing director of Nature's Nectar, is a prominent figure in the honey industry. Under his leadership, Kejriwal Honey became the world's first True Source Certified Honey Company, ensuring traceability and top-notch product quality. As a Director of the Kejriwal Foundation for Rural Development, he has contributed significantly to the growth of beekeeping and the honey industry in the country, offering job opportunities and empowering landless farmers to earn a respectable living.
.jpg "Technology in Cancer Care: A story of evolving paradigms")
.jpg "Bringing Shop Floor to Manufacturer's palm: Smart Factory Solutions for tomorrow")
