Speaking at a review meeting of the Animal Resource Development Department for the 2025–26 fiscal year, Minister Das emphasized that Tripura’s domestic fish production, supplemented by imports from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, is more than sufficient to meet current consumption needs.

“Even if fish imports from Bangladesh stop, there will be no issue. We are producing enough fish locally and also importing from West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. This covers 100% of our demand,” said the minister.

The comments come amid a recent ban by the Indian central government on the import of six items from Bangladesh via land routes. Though fish was not directly listed, trade disruptions at the Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria have affected seafood exports from Bangladesh to India’s northeastern states, including Tripura.

The minister also highlighted that Tripura has not been actively importing fish from Bangladesh, despite media reports citing suspended exports through Akhaura.

During the meeting, Das reviewed budget utilization and departmental performance for the past fiscal year and laid out priorities for achieving self-sufficiency in milk, eggs, meat, and animal healthcare under the Animal Resource Development (ARD) framework.

According to Das, 99% of the previous year’s budget was successfully utilized, and district-level meetings are already underway to implement new development strategies.

This statement from Tripura’s top fisheries official hints at a growing regional shift toward self-reliant aquaculture and livestock management, potentially signaling longer-term changes in cross-border seafood trade dynamics with Bangladesh.

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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.

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