India ships 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh amid supply crunch

Bangla Press Desk:  India has exported around 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh over the past two months, marking a reversal of the traditional trade flow of the prized fish between the two neighbouring countries, according to fish traders.

Another 150-200 tonnes of hilsa is expected to be exported from India to Bangladesh over the next few weeks, they said.The exports come amid reports of lower hilsa production in Bangladesh this year, prompting fish traders to look to India to meet domestic demand for the popular fish.

Most of the consignments have been sourced from Gujarat and shipped through Bharuch port, while some supplies have been routed through the Howrah wholesale fish market in West Bengal, traders said.

“Bangladesh has been importing hilsa from India for the first time. We usually send fish such as boal, rohu, parse and tangra to Bangladesh. This year, there is a shortage of hilsa there,” said Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Howrah Wholesale Fish Importers’ Association.

“In the last two months, some 500 tonnes have been exported, and another 150-200 tonnes are slated to be sent in the coming weeks,” he said.

Gujarat hilsa draws Bangladeshi buyers

Hilsa caught in Gujarat has relatively limited demand in the Indian market because of its high roe content. However, the same characteristic makes it particularly attractive to Bangladeshi buyers, especially in Chattogram and Sylhet, where roe-filled hilsa is highly sought after.“Gujarat hilsa contains a lot of roe, which is highly sought after in Bangladesh. The eggs are also being sold separately for processing and re-exported to other countries,” Maqsood said.

Some Bangladeshi traders are also processing the imported hilsa for export to overseas markets, while others are drying the fish and selling it as salted hilsa in the domestic market, he said.

Traditional hilsa trade flow reversed

Bangladesh is traditionally one of the world’s largest producers of hilsa, accounting for a major share of global production. The fish is also deeply rooted in Bengali culinary and cultural traditions on both sides of the border.

In recent years, India has received hilsa consignments from Bangladesh ahead of Durga Puja, when demand for the fish rises sharply.

However, there is currently no clarity over whether Bangladesh will export Padma hilsa to India during this year’s festive season.

Last year, the Bangladesh government permitted the export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India ahead of Durga Puja.

The latest trade movement represents a significant reversal of the traditional hilsa trade, with India now sending the prized fish to Bangladesh to help bridge a domestic supply shortage.

Source: The Telegraph