From waste to forex, fish scales bring smile to many in Pabna
Bangladesh exports fish scales worth $17 million in FY24
Fifty-five-year-old Marjina Khatun from Ranigram under Pabna sadar upazila used to work as a domestic help about four years ago. But with an innovative move, she has now been able to run her own family with the income generated from selling fish scales and wastes.
Sharing her story with TBS, she said her husband and disabled son run a fish business in the local market. They collect wet fish scales and wastes from the market, clean and dry them, and then sell them to traders, earning over Tk30,000 per month.
With that money, they have bought land and built a house. They are now engaged in fish farming in their own pond. Additionally, they have purchased one bigha of land adjacent to their courtyard. Looking ahead, Marjina dreams of creating employment for other women in her village.
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Inspired by a businessman from Jashore, Marjina got involved in fish scale processing four years ago. She shared that in the beginning, she used to dry the scales on jute sacks spread on the ground, which resulted in lower quality and lower prices. Later, with training, support, and technology provided by a local NGO "Programme for Community Development", she adopted a specialised processing method. This improved the quality of the product, allowing her to fetch higher prices.
Fish scale exports
According to a survey by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the export of fish scales and waste in fiscal year 2019-2020 amounted to $14.99 million, with the majority being fish scales.
Since then, the country has been exporting an average of Tk200 crore worth of fish scales annually. However, the quantity of exports has increased since 2020. In FY24, exports reached $17 million, which is equivalent to Tk206 crore.
For nearly a decade, Md Kamruzzaman from Jashore has been purchasing and exporting fish scales. He collects fish scales from all districts in the southern and northern regions of the country and exports at least 10 tonnes per month.
The businessman said that in the past, entrepreneurs struggled to properly process fish scales. However, after receiving various types of training, most of them can now process the scales efficiently.
Kamruzzaman said he buys these processed scales and exports them to China, Japan, and Korea through different parties.
Global fish scale market
According to Volza's global import data, from February 2023 to January 2024, Bangladesh exported 208 shipments of fish scales to 39 international buyers, supplied by 17 Bangladeshi exporters. This represents a 4% growth rate compared to the previous 12 months.
Within this period, in Jan 2024 alone, the world imported 12 fish scale shipments from Bangladesh. This marks a year-on-year growth of -33% compared to Jan 2023, and a 12% sequential increase from Dec 2024.
The world imports most of its fish scales from China, Vietnam, and India.
Globally, the top three importers of fish scales are the United States, Ukraine, and Peru. The United States leads the world in fish scale imports with 2,184 shipments, followed by Ukraine with 953 shipments, and Peru taking the third spot with 686 shipments.
Employment opportunities
Md Shafiqul Alam, executive director of Programme for Community Development, said fish waste is generated in almost all parts of the country. Proper management of this waste helps reduce environmental pollution, he said.
"Through processing and biotechnological methods, it can be transformed into valuable products. Under the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project of PKSF, we are supporting entrepreneurs in various ways to commercially process fish scales. This initiative is creating employment opportunities for many people in rural areas," Alam said.
Rumi Begum, a resident of Shantinagar in Joypurhat sadar, has been processing fish scales hygienically using new technology after receiving government and non-government training. She now sells around 150 to 200 kilograms of fish scales per month.
Alongside managing her household, Rumi earns a monthly profit of Tk15,000 from selling fish scales. She mentioned that, following her example, five more people in the area have become involved in fish scale processing.
What is in fish scales?
Fisheries researchers say on average, 20-25% of a fish's body weight consists of waste and scales.
Agricultural scientists and fisheries researchers explain that fish scales form a protective layer covering the body of fish, which is usually discarded. Previously, this waste was dumped indiscriminately, causing environmental pollution.
However, fish scales and waste hold significant economic value. They are rich in protein and calcium. Typically, fish scales contain around 60-65% protein and 30-40% hydroxyapatite, both of which are highly beneficial for the human body.
Kazi Ahsan Habib, a professor of the Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, said processed fish scales can be used to produce various high-value products, including collagen, collagen peptides, hydroxyapatite, organic fertilisers, medicinal capsule coatings, and cosmetics.
Collagen is a fibrous protein found in bones, skin, and connective tissues of animals, he said.
"If fish scale processing is developed locally, it could create employment opportunities for many people and have a positive impact on the economy," Prof Habib said.
To strengthen the framework of the domestic rural economy, various NGOs are working under the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project in 49 upazilas across 23 districts, including Pabna, Sirajganj, Rajshahi, and Naogaon, focusing on fish farming, scale, and waste management.
These initiatives aim to produce and market high-value products. Over 150,000 people are involved in this sector, with more than 50,000 of them being women. The project is financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), and DANIDA.
Md Fazlul Kader, managing director of PKSF, said the economic market for fish scales in the country is valued at over Tk250 crore, with hundreds of entrepreneurs involved in the industry.
Fish scales are used by Chinese to produce gelatin for the food and pharmaceutical industries, he said. "Currently, we import these products at six times the cost."
He continued, "However, there is hope as plans are underway to develop medium-scale producers. Through them, the goal is to produce products from fish scales locally in the future.
"Many local entrepreneurs have shown interest in this industry, and if successful, it will further strengthen the country's economy."
