The demand and market for honey is growing in Bangladesh and around 25,000 tons of honey was collected from natural and cultivated sources in 2024, speakers said at an event in Dhaka on Saturday.
The annual honey market value in the country is estimated at Tk1,200 to Tk1,500 crore. Although, honey is being exported, modern processing and collection facilities remain limited in the country, they added saying that some entrepreneurs are working to address this gap. They also demanded government measures in addressing the gaps that exist in the industry.
Speakers came up with the data at the fifth National Bee and Honey Conference in Dhaka. The program was organized by the Bee and Honey Association and was sponsored by Ghorer Bazar, a household food producer, at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB).
The objectives of the event was to raise awareness, dispel misconceptions about honey, and foster collaboration, good relations among researchers, farmers, producers, traders, and consumers.
The Chief Conservator of Forests of the Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury, inaugurated the conference as the chief guest.
Dr Kabir Uddin Ahmed, director general of the Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), and Md Mokhlesur Rahman, food safety officer of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, Khulna, attended the event as guests.
At the event, eight individuals were honored with the prestigious Honey Award for their contributions to bee farming and honey-related initiatives. The awardees are Dr Ahsanul Haque Swapan, professor, Department of Entomology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Dr Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain, professor, Department of Entomology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Khondokar Aminuzzaman, former project director, Bee Farming Project, BSCIC, Md Ali Ashraf Khan, former general manager (Retd), BSCIC, Jagadish Chandra Saha, Md. Ayub Ali Gazi, a veteran beekeeper from Satkhira, Md Chan Mia Sarkar, senior beekeeper from Sirajganj and Dr Abu Nasir Mohsin Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer, Tangail.
Speaking about the conference, Jamshed Mojumder, managing director of Ghorer Bazaar, said: “The aim of this conference is to bring together honey researchers, entrepreneurs, traders, and beekeepers from across the country to discuss the current state, challenges, and future prospects of Bangladesh’s honey industry. Through this initiative, Ghorer Bazar is contributing to the development, marketing, and global positioning of the country’s honey industry, creating new business opportunities for honey producers.”
Mohammad Nazmus Sakib, director and CEO of Ghorer Bazar said: “Like ready-made garments and fish, honey will also secure a top position among Bangladesh’s export products and enhance the country's global standing.”
The event also included six stalls where honey producers from different districts exhibited their produce.
Ashiq Sabuj, founder of 'Sumi Agro Food', said: "The honey business is now expanding. There is a demand for it not only in the country but also outside the country. There, bees and honey are used in cosmetics and medicines. If this product can be exported, the country will earn a huge amount of foreign currency."
