Shopkeepers are being forced to lock up HONEY to stop thieves stealing it to sell for up to $470 a jar to wealthy Chinese buyers
- Manuka honey the latest target of Daigous as shoppers sell it for higher price
- A jar of honey in Australia can fetch between $50 to $150 depending on its size
- Daigous can sell a 500 gram jar of the same product for as much as $470
- The buyers first drew attention for selling baby formula for up-marked prices
Shopkeepers are being forced to sell honey over the counter as customers target the sweet product to sell overseas at a higher price.
Capilano Honey's Tanya Watt said some major retailers like Chemist Warehouse are now locking up the medicinal honey and stocking shelves with empty display jars, news.com.au reported.
'We are seeing increased theft in Manuka honey,' she said.
She said over the past 12 months more retailers were being forced to lock up their honey in areas with known 'Daigou' - shoppers who sell products at a premium in Asia - activity.
Shopkeepers are being forced to sell honey over the counter as customers target the sweet product to sell overseas at a higher price (stock picture)
Only in August last year, police searched two homes in greater Sydney and seized 4,000 tin of baby formula. On top of which they found large quantities of vitamins and Manuka honey (stock picture)
Daigous first gained attention over the baby formula crisis, snapping up tins of the popular powder to sell at exorbitant prices to wealthy Chinese buyers.
Only in August last year, police searched two homes in greater Sydney and seized 4,000 tins of baby formula.
Police also found large quantities of vitamins and Manuka honey.
As it is, a small jar of honey can fetch between $50 and $150 in Australia.
Sold offshore, the honey bring in as much as $470 for just a 500 gram jar.
Retailers have even tried to attach source tags to jars holding the golden liquid in a bid to tamp down on theft.
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Scheming customers have managed to sidestep the anti-theft methods, using foil lined bags to walk out of the store with the product.
Ms Watt said clinical studies proving Manuka has medicinal benefits was in large part a reason for the upswing in thefts.
The studies claim the honey can be used to treat serious stomach problems that stem from helicobacter pylori bacterium.
'Chinese people will often prefer a natural product over a medicine,' Ms Watt said.
The surge in demand has also driven an increase in exports from New Zealand to China.
Back in 2007, Australia's neighbour exported hardly anything - fast forward to 2014, and it shipped out about 1,500 tonnes - most of which was Manuka.
With a rise in demand has come an upswing in price as well, as the price has tripled for the particular honey in New Zealand.
Since 2012, a hive is worth $2,000 and even theft has become an issue on that front.
Daily Mail Australia reached out to Chemist Warehouse for comment.
Daily Mail Australia reached out to Chemist Warehouse for comment (stock picture)
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