Staff Reporter :
Sundarbans honey from Bangladesh has officially been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, marking a major milestone for the country’s apiculture sector. The GI registration certificate was formally issued on Wednesday, and stakeholders across Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and other regions have warmly welcomed the recognition.
Retail and wholesale traders alike are reporting a surge in demand. Arif Hossain, a honey retailer in Paikgachha, Khulna, said, “We’ve already seen an increase in honey sales since the GI recognition. It has generated excitement among both consumers and traders.” Currently, Garan honey is selling at Tk 900-950 per kilogram, while various types of Khalisha honey are fetching between Tk 1,100 and Tk 1,200 per kilogram.
Abdul Latif, a wholesaler from Khulna city, described the recognition as “thrilling news,” reflecting a sentiment widely shared by honey collectors and traders across the country. Many recalled the frustration that followed India’s GI recognition of Sundarbans honey last year, which had prompted strong calls for a similar initiative from Bangladeshi authorities. That long-awaited demand has now been fulfilled.
Syed Muhammad Moinul Anwar, founder of the Alwan Honey Museum and Research Center in Chattogram, noted, “The Sundarbans is the largest source of natural honey in Bangladesh.
Its distinctive aroma and flavour have earned it strong demand both domestically and abroad. The GI status was overdue and now provides a crucial opportunity for international branding.”
The official certificate was handed over on April 30 during a ceremony marking World Intellectual Property Day 2025.
