Iranian honey wholesale: mountain, thyme, astragalus and citrus honey
Iran produces honey in almost every province, from mountain multiflora honey in Ardabil and the Zagros to citrus blossom honey in Mazandaran and jujube (konar) honey in the south. Wholesale buyers should buy against a lab report covering moisture, HMF, diastase activity, sugar profile, adulteration with added sugar syrups and residues. On ASL Market you can compare honey listings from Iranian beekeepers and packers, ask for lab reports and samples in chat, and pay through escrow.
1262 listings on ASL Market now, usually $5.17–$190.04 per piece.
Main Iranian honey types
Monofloral names should be backed by pollen analysis and sensory testing. Ask the supplier how the honey was named and for the pollen report if you sell it as a single-flower honey.
| Honey | Main areas | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain multiflora | Ardabil (Sabalan), East Azerbaijan, Zagros mountains | Mixed alpine flowers; varied colour and taste by season |
| Thyme honey | Mountain areas of the west and north-west | Strong herbal aroma, amber colour |
| Astragalus (gavan) honey | Zagros and north-western mountains | Light colour, mild taste, slow to crystallise |
| Citrus (orange blossom) honey | Mazandaran and other northern citrus areas | Light colour, floral aroma, crystallises fine |
| Jujube (konar) honey | Southern provinces | Dark, rich taste; popular in Gulf markets |
| Comb honey | Several regions | Sold in frames or cut comb; needs careful packing |
Lab tests to ask for
The Codex Alimentarius honey standard and the rules of most importing countries set limits for moisture, HMF, diastase and sugars. Ask for a report from an accredited lab on the lot you buy, not a generic certificate.
| Test | Common reference value | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture | Not more than 20% for most honeys | Risk of fermentation |
| HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural) | Not more than 40 mg/kg in general | Heat damage and age |
| Diastase activity | Not less than 8 on the Schade scale in general | Freshness and gentle processing |
| Fructose + glucose | Not less than 60 g/100 g for blossom honey | Natural sugar profile |
| Sucrose | Usually not more than 5 g/100 g | Possible feeding or adulteration |
| C4 sugar / isotope test, and tests for rice or beet syrups | Market or buyer limits | Added sugar syrups |
| Antibiotic and pesticide residues | Limits of the importing country | Food safety at your border |
| Pollen analysis | Buyer specification | Botanical and geographical origin |
Crystallisation, storage and shelf life
Natural honey crystallises over time; how fast depends on its glucose content. Citrus and multiflora honeys crystallise sooner than astragalus honey. Crystallisation is not a defect, and buyers should not ask for heating that raises HMF.
Stored sealed, at a stable room temperature and away from light, honey keeps for a long time; many packers print a best-before date of about two years. Avoid heat during shipping in summer.
Packaging and MOQ
Price depends on honey type, lab results, season, packaging and quantity. Monofloral honey with pollen proof usually costs more than multiflora.
- Bulk: food-grade drums or pails, often about 25 kg pails or larger drums for industry.
- Retail: glass or PET jars, usually 250 g to 1 kg, with your label if needed.
- Comb honey: wooden frames or cut-comb boxes.
- MOQs usually start from a few hundred kilograms for bulk; private-label jars need a minimum per design.
HS code, documents and market access
Natural honey is classified under HS 0409.00. Check the full code with your customs broker.
Usual documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, health certificate issued by the Iranian veterinary authority, and lab analysis. Honey is an animal product, so many countries only accept it from listed countries or approved establishments, with an approved residue monitoring plan. Check whether your country accepts honey from Iran before you order. Import rules differ by country; check your own country's rules on trade with Iran before you order.
Sea cargo usually leaves from Bandar Abbas, often via Jebel Ali. Road and rail routes serve Iraq, Turkey, the Caucasus and Central Asia. See /guides/export-documents-from-iran.
How to buy honey on ASL Market
Browse /categories/asl_agriculture_food, or post a buying request at /post-request with honey type, lab limits, packing, quantity and destination. Chat with suppliers through ASL Market; your contact details stay private.
The supplier confirms price, quantity, freight, Incoterm and ship-by date before you pay, and adds the checked freight to the invoice. Payment is in USDT today; more payment methods are coming soon. ASL Secure Pay holds the payment until you confirm receipt, or until it is confirmed automatically after a set period if you neither confirm nor dispute. ASL Market decides disputes and may grant a partial refund. See /trade-assurance and /guides/paying-iranian-suppliers-safely.
Listings
- Mountain Honey with Premium Nuts (Pistachio, Almond, Walnut) — ≈ $19.99 / kg
- Premium Natural Coriander Honey — ≈ $99.20 / kg
- Hakim C Natural Medicinal Honey — ≈ $16.00 / piece
- Gazangabin Honey — ≈ $5.00 / kg
- Local Natural Honey — ≈ $18.50 / piece
- Hakim G50% Natural Medicinal Honey — ≈ $50.00 / piece
- Hakim G10% Natural Medicinal Honey — ≈ $20.00 / piece
- Hakim D Natural Medicinal Honey — ≈ $12.00 / piece
- Date Palm Extract Medicinal Honey — ≈ $13.00 / piece
- Oleaster Extract Medicinal Honey — ≈ $17.00 / piece
- Ginger Extract Medicinal Honey — ≈ $14.00 / piece
- Barberry Extract Medicinal Honey — ≈ $13.00 / piece
FAQ
Which Iranian honey is most popular for export?
Mountain multiflora honey from the north-west and the Zagros, thyme honey, astragalus honey and jujube honey are the best-known types. Gulf buyers often ask for jujube and mountain honey. Choose by your market's taste and the lab results.
How do I check that Iranian honey is pure?
Ask for an accredited lab report on the lot, including a C4 sugar or isotope test and tests for rice and beet syrups. Check moisture, HMF, diastase and sucrose against Codex or your country's limits. Keep a sealed sample from the shipment.
Why has my honey crystallised?
Crystallisation is natural and depends on the honey's glucose content and storage temperature. It does not mean the honey is fake. Gentle warming below about 40 °C makes it liquid again without much HMF increase.
What is the HS code for honey?
Natural honey is HS 0409.00 at the six-digit level. Honey products with added ingredients may fall under other headings. Check the full code with your customs broker.
Can every country import honey from Iran?
Not necessarily. Many countries only accept honey from listed countries and approved establishments. Check your own country's rules on trade with Iran and on honey imports before you order.
Is there a minimum order for Iranian honey?
Bulk MOQs usually start from a few hundred kilograms, and private-label jars need a minimum number per design. Ask in chat or state your volume in a buying request at /post-request.