Despite a government ban on hilsa exports to India this year, the price of the fish continues to rise in local markets due to supply shortages, higher fishing costs, and unfavorable weather conditions. Fishermen and traders cite a scarcity of hilsa in the sea, pushing prices higher.
According to fisheries officials, Bangladesh typically catches around 5.5 to 6 lakh tonnes of hilsa annually, with about 60% of the catch coming from the Bay of Bengal and the remainder from rivers. However, this year, fishermen are struggling with reduced catches in the sea, causing a significant supply shortage.
In previous years, the government allowed 3,000 to 5,000 tonnes of hilsa exports during Durga Puja, but this year, a ban was imposed to address the domestic scarcity, said Nripendra Nath Biswas, deputy director of the Barishal Divisional Fisheries Office.
At Barishal’s Port Road Hilsa Market, the largest wholesale hub for hilsa, prices are significantly higher than last year. A 1.5 kg hilsa is selling for around $15, while a 1.2 kg fish is priced about $13.45, and a 1 kg fish costs around $12.61. These prices are $1.26–$1.68 higher compared to last year.
Traders report high demand for hilsa from major cities like Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet, but the insufficient supply has driven prices up. Fisherman Hossain Miah from Bhola Sadar upazila explained that poor weather conditions forced them to abandon multiple fishing trips, leading to reduced catches. Another fisherman, Jahangir Hossain from Bakerganj upazila, noted that fishing costs have risen to $170 for a five-day trip, up from $126-$134 last year.
The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) reported 152 tonnes of hilsa traded in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, but only 25 tonnes have been traded in the current fiscal year. Fisheries officials remain optimistic that hilsa availability will improve in the coming weeks, which could help lower prices.
With high demand, reduced supply, and increased costs, hilsa prices remain elevated, causing frustration for both fishermen and consumers across Bangladesh.
