37.5 tons of hilsa exported to India in first consignment on the occasion of Durga Puja

Ahead of the autumn Durga Puja, the first consignment of 37.5 tons of hilsa has been exported from Bangladesh to India. This hilsa reached Petrapole Port in 8 trucks through Benapole Land Port at around 12:30 am last Tuesday (September 16). Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain confirmed the matter. Port sources said that five companies in Kolkata, India – National Trading, FNS Fish, Joy Santoshi, Ma International and RJ International – imported hilsa in consignments.
On the other hand, six companies in Bangladesh – Satta Fish, Swarnali Enterprise, Tanisha Enterprise, Biswas Traders and Lucky Trading – exported hilsa in consignments. The total export was 37 tons 460 kg.
Although the export of hilsa is prohibited, the Bangladesh government has allowed the export of 1,200 metric tons of hilsa to India on the occasion of Durga Puja. 37 companies have received this approval. Of these, one company has been allowed to export 50 tons, 25 companies 750 tons, 9 companies 40 tons and two companies a total of 20 tons.
Durga Puja is starting in various states of India including West Bengal from September 28. Hilsa from Padma is reaching the Indian market before the puja.
Last year, the Bangladesh government had allowed the export of 2,420 metric tons of Hilsa, but only 1,306 metric tons were exported. Traders have expressed fears that it may not be possible to export the entire quota this time too due to the fish shortage and high prices.
“We had hoped that the quantity of hilsa would increase a little this time. However, due to low production in Bangladesh, it was not possible. Still, we are grateful to receive hilsa from Padma before Puja,” said Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Fish Importers Association of India.
Benapole Fisheries Quarantine Officer Sajib Saha said that the Ministry of Commerce has ordered the export of approved hilsa between September 16 and October 5. The export price of hilsa has been fixed at US$ 12.5 per kg, which is about 1,533 taka in Bangladeshi taka. The average weight of each hilsa is estimated to be 1 kg 200 grams to 1.5 kg.
According to the data of the last few years, less hilsa has always been exported compared to the approved quantity. For example, in 2023, the approval was 3,500 tons, only 631 tons were exported; in 2022, the approval was 2,900 tons, 1,300 tons were exported; in 2021, the approval was 4,600 tons, 1,699 tons were exported; and in 2020, the approval was Of the 1,450 tons, 532 tons were exported.