# We're exporting eggs, so why not receive Hilsa in retun? Ask Indian traders

> Indian media reports that local businesses in Bangladesh and West Bengal are facing difficulties obtaining hilsa, a traditional fish, during the Durga Puja festival in October. Hilsa, the king of fish, is a staple in Be…

Published: 2024-09-14 · Desk: World · Source: Somoy News

Indian media reports that local businesses in Bangladesh and West Bengal are facing difficulties obtaining hilsa, a traditional fish, during the Durga Puja festival in October. Hilsa, the king of fish, is a staple in Bengali culture and is considered a 'puja gift'. However, since 2012, the Hasina government banned the export of hilsa to India. In 2018, after a commercial agreement, the government allowed the export of 5,000 metric tonnes of hilsa for one month before Durga Puja. Fish traders could import 1,000 to 1,200MT of hilsa per month.
The India-Bangladesh relations have deteriorated since Hasina's ouster, and prices of hilsa in Kolkata, West Bengal, are approaching 2,500 rupees, about 35% higher than normal. The Indian Fish Importers Association has appealed to Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain to allow hilsa exports, but no reply has been received. The association is also expressing doubts about getting hilsa from Bangladesh.
Despite Bangladesh importing eggs from India, many West Bengal businessmen question the decision, as the country imports 231,000 pieces of eggs through Benapole last week and plans to import another 4.7 million eggs in the next two months.

Original reporting: https://en.somoynews.tv/news/2024-09-13/KU96TzM6
HTML: https://tezzfeed.com/international-news/were-exporting-eggs-so-why-not-receive-hilsa-in-retun-ask-indian-traders-1726291595608
Bangladesh desk: https://tezzfeed.com/bangladeshi-news.md
Agent map: https://tezzfeed.com/llms.txt