Honey collectors and traders in Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira are delighted with the recognition of Sundarbans honey. Photo: BSS

By S M Zahid Hossain 

KHULNA, May 03, 2025 (BSS) – People from all walks of life in the region became very happy and expressed satisfaction as the honey of Sundarbans in Bangladesh was registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) product. 

The GI registration certificate for Sundarbans honey was officially issued on Wednesday. Honey collectors and traders in Khulna, Bagrhat and Satkhira and elsewhere across the country are delighted by this recognition.

Expressing happiness, Russel Munna, a Sundarbans retail honey trader at Iqbalnagar in Khulna city said he and other traders became very happy as honey-selling is increasing after getting recognition of Sundarban’s honey.

He said Sundarban’s Garan honey is selling at Taka 900 to Taka 950 per kg while various Khalisha honey are selling at Taka 1100 to Taka 1200 per kg.
Talking to BSS, Kazi Israfil, a honey wholesaler of the City’s Dalmil intersection, said, “I am very happy hearing the news of GI recognition”.

Like Russel and Israfil all honey lovers including collectors and traders also expressed their satisfaction and joy as Bangladeshi honey at last got GI recognition.

They said India had secured a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Sundarbans honey last year. 

Since then, Bangladeshi honey collectors, traders, and researchers have blamed the indifference of relevant government departments and have repeatedly demanded GI recognition for Bangladesh’s Sundarbans honey. At last, that demand has been fulfilled.

Syed Muhammad Moinul Anwar, founder of the Alwan Honey Museum and Research Center in Chattogram said, "Sundarbans is the largest source of natural honey in the country. The fragrance and taste of Sundarbans honey are unmatched, and there is global demand for it”. 

He said the honey of our Sundarbans should have received GI recognition long ago. “We are happy that the recognition has finally come. With this GI status, Sundarbans honey will enjoy new branding on the global stage."

The certificate was handed over at a ceremony marking World Intellectual Property Day 2025.

On April 30, the Department of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks under the Ministry of Industries at the Foreign Service Academy handed over the certificate to the Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat, Mominur Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Mominur Rahman, confirmed.

Talking to BSS, Mominur Rahman said, "Like the honey collectors, traders, and researchers of the Sundarbans region, we are also delighted to have received the GI registration certificate for Sundarbans honey. 

“The application was originally submitted on behalf of the Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner on August 7, 2017. Some additional documents were submitted in June last year. At last, we have received this great news of GI recognition. It is a significant achievement made possible by the efforts of the Bagerhat district administration,” he said.

Sharfuzzaman, a honey collector from Shoronkhola Range of Bagerhat, a Sundarbans-adjacent area, said, "Over 6,000 honey collectors from our area to enter the forest and harvest honey considering tigers, snakes, and crocodiles fearing. 

“I have been collecting honeycombs from the Sundarbans for 24 years. We are all very happy with this recognition. There is a huge demand for Sundarbans honey both in Bangladesh and abroad. The GI tag will increase this demand further," he added.

Mohammad Ali, another honey trader from Shoronkhola, said, "Just across the Bolweshar River near our home lies in the Sundarbans. I’ve been in the Sundarbans honey trade for the last 10 years. No one has ever questioned the quality of this honey. People from all over the country come to buy it from us. Now, with the GI tag, there is a wave of joy among local honey collectors, traders, and residents."
Mofizur Rahman, a dweller of Dakop, adjacent to the Sundarbans in Khulna, said, "The honey from Sundarbans is a product of our region. We are proud and happy that it has received GI recognition. We are grateful to the present government for this."

Contacted, Imran Ahmed, Conservator of Forests, Khulna Circle, told BSS that the majority of Sundarbans honey is produced in Bangladesh. 

"With GI recognition, the export opportunity will grow, and the local coastal economy will be positively impacted. As a result, demand and prices of Sundarbans honey is expected to rise in the global markets," he added.