29 tonnes of hilsa exported to India from Barishal
The price of hilsa has suddenly increased to around Tk 1,450 per kg
About 29 tonnes of hilsa have been exported to India from Barishal on the occasion of Durga Puja as of Friday (22 September).
Earlier on Wednesday, around 19 tonnes of hilsa entered India in the first shipment through Jashore's Benapole Landport, while the second one was sent on Friday, General Secretary of Barishal District Fisheries Association Nirob Hossain Tutul said today.
Five companies from Barishal were granted permission to send hilsa to India – Mahima Enterprises, Tanisha Enterprises, Masfi Enterprises, AR Enterprises and Sea Gold Enterprises.
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The commerce ministry allowed the export of hilsa to India on the occasion of Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community.
As per the government decision, each exporter has been allowed to export 50 tonnes of Hilsa till 30 October.
The export price per kilogramme of hilsa was $10.
According to traders, a maund of hilsa, containing fish weighing between 600-900 grammes, was sold at Tk 52,000 on Wednesday. But yesterday, a maund was being sold at Tk 54,000.
The price of hilsa has suddenly increased to around Tk 1,450 per kg, they said.
On Thursday afternoon, large quantities of hilsa were being packed for export in the wholesale hilsa market in Barishal's Port Road.
Khan Habibur Rahman, a fish trader said, hilsa has been exported to India according to the export regulations in two shipments till Friday. "As the fish is not commonly found in rivers and seas, buyers are not getting the desired amounts of the fish in the local market."
However, Barisal Divisional Fisheries Directorate Deputy Director Nripendra Nath Biswas said, "We are expecting a lot of hilsa by the end of September. There is a good chance of rain during this period. Hilsa usually does not come up depending on the month. It emerges in a natural, favourable environment. So, if there is more rain, there will be more hilsa."
Last year, the government allowed the export of 2,900 tonnes of Hilsa but only 1,300 tonnes were exported.
Bangladesh has been exporting Hilsa to India since 2012 on the occasion of the Durga Puja.
