Fish exports to India via Benapole hit record high
According to port and fisheries officials, 13,742 tonnes of farmed fish were exported through Benapole, worth around Tk470.62 crore
Highlights:
- Fish exports to India via Benapole reached 13,742 tonnes in 2024-25, earning around Tk470.62 crore.
- Freshwater fish made up 13,210 tonnes, while hilsa accounted for 532 tonnes.
- Exports grew nearly 50% from the previous year.
- Clearance from Khulna causes delays for exporters.
- Jashore produced 2,48,194 tonnes of fish, with rohu as the top species.
Fish exports to India through the Benapole land port in Jashore reached a record in the fiscal 2024-25, rising by about 5,450 tonnes and boosting foreign exchange earnings.
According to port and fisheries officials, 13,742 tonnes of farmed fish were exported through Benapole, worth around Tk470.62 crore. Of this, 13,210 tonnes were freshwater species, including pabda, pangas, parshe, bhetki, tengra, tilapia, and pona, while 532 tonnes were hilsa.
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Exports in the previous fiscal year, 2023-24, stood at 8,292 tonnes, generating $25.4 million (over Tk312 crore). The latest figures represent an increase of nearly 5,500 tonnes and $12.8 million (around Tk160 crore) in just one year.
"Compared to fiscal year 2023-24, fish exports have increased by nearly 50% in the fiscal 2024-25," said Shojib Saha, local fish quarantine officer. "We are working to expand facilities for exporters so that this growth continues."
Bangladesh has been the world's third-largest producer of fish from inland open waters since 2017, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Domestic demand for the country's 17 crore people is about 48 lakh tonnes annually, while production in 2024-25 reached 50.18 lakh tonnes, creating a surplus that has fuelled rising exports.
Nationwide, Bangladesh exported 91,000 tonnes of fish and fish products worth Tk5,145 crore during the fiscal year, including the shipments through Benapole.
Despite the growth, exporters face challenges due to lengthy paperwork. Clearance must be obtained from Khulna, 85 km from Benapole, causing delays for highly perishable fish.
Because clearance is issued from Khulna, exports are delayed. If the facility were available in Benapole, it would save time, boost exports, and increase foreign exchange earnings.
Shyamol Das, managing director of MUCE Foods, one of Jashore's largest exporters, added, "To expand exports to India through Benapole, paperwork needs to be simplified. Offices for clearance should be set up in Benapole or Jashore. Right now, exporters must go to Khulna, which is both troublesome and time-consuming."
Fish production in Jashore has been steadily rising. The district produced 2,48,194 tonnes in 2024–25, including 1,50,131 tonnes from ponds and reservoirs, up from 2,45,000 tonnes the previous year. However, prices in local markets have increased, making fish less affordable for poorer consumers, particularly rohu.
Data from the District Fisheries Office, Jashore, show a consistent rise in production – 2,41,107 tonnes in 2022-23, 2,31,143 tonnes in 2021-22, 2,27,003 tonnes in 2020-21, 2,23,793 tonnes in 2019-20, 2,22,168 tonnes in 2018-19, and 2,18,610 tonnes in 2017-18.
Currently, 22 fish species are farmed in Jashore. Rohu leads with 1,60,765 tonnes, followed by pangas 11,636 tonnes, tilapia 17,905 tonnes, koi 2,778 tonnes, shing-magur 5,934 tonnes, gulsha-pabda 17,713 tonnes, giant freshwater prawn (golda) 9,560 tonnes, black tiger prawn (bagda) 354 tonnes, small shrimp 90 tonnes, and other species 14,973 tonnes.
"Jashore always produces a surplus of fish," said District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Rafiqul Alam. "Growing exports will encourage farmers to raise production further."QAA
