Hilsa fish is being sent from Barishal to India in celebration of the Sharadiya Durga Festival. Interestingly, the export price of hilsa to India is currently less than what it fetches in the local markets of Barishal.
Conversations with representatives from the local fisheries department and exporting companies failed to provide a clear rationale for the observed price discrepancy.
Md. Matleb Miah, a trader at the Barishal Port Road wholesale fish market, shared that hilsa weighing 600-900 grammes is currently priced at an average of 1700 taka per kilogramme. Hilsa weighing 1 kg is available for 1900 taka, while larger hilsa are being sold for 2000 taka per kilogramme.
In a recent update, Md. Abdur Rahim, a fish trader at the Alipur port of Kuakata, shared that hilsa weighing between 600-900 grammes is currently priced at 1400-1500 taka per kilogramme. Meanwhile, 1 kg of hilsa is being sold for 1700-1800 taka, and larger specimens are fetching prices of 1800-1900 taka per kilogramme.
He noted that the price has risen because of recent developments regarding exports.
Nonetheless, that particular fish is being shipped to India at a rate of 10 USD per kilogramme, which is roughly 1200 taka. As a result, hilsa is being exported to India at a price that is 200 to 500 taka lower than what is currently seen in the local market.
