The black market conjures up brooding images of Blood Diamond-style heists. But Sydney pharmacies, supermarkets and beauty salons are reporting a crime wave of a whole other kind.

A bizarre new spree has seen bandits getting their sticky fingers on jars of manuka honey.

The champagne of the honey world, with price tags of up to $80 for a 250g jar, manuka is famed for its antibacterial and superfood qualities.

It’s a favourite of celebrities like Novak Djokovic and Kourtney Kardashian.

Not only is it used to heal wounds, burns and ulcers, manuka is a known immune system booster and loaded with amino acids, B vitamins, calcium and iron. Some experts even believe it can fight bacterial disorders, like acne and eczema.

Unfortunately, crims have now cottoned on to the product’s value and are targeting small businesses, which are experiencing a loss of thousands of dollars worth of stock.

The Daily Telegraph reports that a gang took off with 30 jars of the wonder honey from a salon in Haymarket.

Another store in Sydney had 20 jars of manuka swiped, valued at $75 each.

The honey heist extends across international borders; an Auckland man successfully pinched $1,100 worth of honey from supermarkets. And in the UK, the problem is so dire that one Tesco store locks their honey away in security boxes.

“There have been thefts in Chippendale, Campsie, Burwood and here in the city that we know of, and in all cases the common denominator is that the honey is manuka,” Sydney City Police acting crime manager Detective Inspector David Gates told The Daily Telegraph.

Detective Gates also cited similar sprees recently involving vitamins and rump steak.

If this keeps up, we could soon see some honeys, and our favourite barbecue cuts, under Tiffany’s-style lock and key.