Fish exports from Bangladesh to Agartala, India, through the Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria were temporarily halted on Wednesday (May 21) due to delays in the issuance of necessary export permits.
According to Md. Faruk Mia, General Secretary of the Fish Exporters Association, although the Animal Quarantine Authority in Delhi had cleared the shipments, the Export Authorization Permit (EAP) from local banks was not issued in time, halting fish-laden trucks for the day.
“The issue was purely procedural. The EAP is now resolved, and fish exports are expected to resume as usual from Thursday (May 22),” Faruk Mia confirmed.
On average, Bangladesh exports frozen fish worth approximately USD 100,000 daily to Agartala via the Akhaura land port. The sudden disruption caused concern among exporters who rely on this route for regular trade.
The situation was further complicated by a recent import ban imposed by the Indian government on six specific products entering India by land, which has already slowed operations at the port. Though fish is not directly included in that ban, the ripple effect has disrupted the port’s usual activity.
Mahmudul Hasan, Assistant Director of Akhaura Land Port, confirmed the pause in fish shipments and added, “No trucks carrying fish entered the port on Wednesday, but exports of other goods like cement and edible oil are continuing as usual.”
Exporters now hope the resumption of fish shipments on May 22 will restore normal trade flow, especially ahead of the busy seafood demand season across the border.
