On the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja, the government directive to send hilsa to India has affected the port road hilsa market in Barishal city. In the past, a large quantity of hilsa was exported to India from this location in every Durga Puja, but it was closed after the fall of the Awami League government. Although the people of Barishal could not eat hilsa at a low price.
Even if the hilsa fish was caught in the local river, the price did not decrease that much. However, on Saturday (September 21) the news of the permission to send hilsa to India has strengthened Port Road Mokam. Losing interest in selling fish to local buyers, sellers are preparing to export to India.
Businessmen claim that export is much easier than selling hilsa at the local level. More can be sold at once, so less hassle. The cost of storage is also low. In previous years, the amount of export was not fixed, this time it is limited to 3 thousand tons. So contacting exporters from different parts of the country they are now preparing to ship the fish through those who will be allowed to export.
According to sources, the decision to export 3,000 tons of hilsa fish to India on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja was confirmed in a notification from the Export-2 Branch of the Ministry of Commerce on Saturday. Against the application of the exporters, three thousand metric tons of hilsa export was approved subject to fulfilling the prescribed conditions. The concerned applicant has been instructed to apply with the necessary documents before 24th September at 12 noon with the Ministry of Commerce.
Businessman Yar Hossain Sikder said, on Saturday, about a thousand maunds of hilsa fish cages were bought at Port Road Mokam. Friday came a little less. About 900 maunds of hilsa were also sold.
He said that the sea was rough a few days ago. So the fishermen could not go to the sea. The price did not fall because the fish did not come in the sea and the demand was high. Fishermen went to sea for fishing. He is hopeful that the price of fish will decrease when they return.
Stating that the cost of selling in the local market is higher than that of exports, this seller said that the interest of the sellers in the local market has decreased slightly after receiving the news of exports to India because the cost of selling in the local market is very high. Now they are preparing to send fish on the occasion of Durga Puja through exporters. He said that not only him, but all the agents and commission agents of Mokam are making this preparation.
Several businessmen of Mokam said that currently the majority of small size hilsa in Mokam. One and a half kg hilsa fish was sold at Tk. 2,000 to Tk. 22,000 per kg at the Port Road wholesale market on Saturday. One kilogram of 200 grams of hilsa fish was sold at the price of Tk. 1,800 per kg, fish of one kg size at Tk. 1,700 and LC size below one kg at Tk. 1,600.
On the other hand, the news of fish export to India has caused some negative reaction among the common buyers. Zahid Hasan, a government official who came to Port Road market to buy hilsa fish, said that he bought four fish. I bought that fish weighing 700-800 grams at the rate of Tk. 1,500 per kg. Currently, the price of fish is not as low as it was supposed to be during the season of hilsa fish. In the meantime, if the fish is sent to India, the local buyers will not be able to get it. Those who can afford it have no problem buying at higher prices. However, even if the price continues, middle and lower class people will not have hilsa.