The government has permitted conditional export of 1,200 tons of hilsa to India ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja festival. As part of the first shipment, a consignment of 37.46 tons of hilsa was sent through Benapole land port in the early hours of Tuesday (September 17).
According to Sajib Saha, Fisheries Quarantine Officer at Benapole port, the hilsa was exported by five Bangladeshi firms—Satata Fish, Swarnali Enterprise, Tanisha Enterprise, Bishwas Enterprise, and Lucky Trading—using eight trucks. The Indian importers include National Trading, FNS Fish, Joy Shantosi, Maa International, and RJ International.
The government has set a minimum export price of USD 12.5 per kilogram, without fixing an upper ceiling. A total of 37 exporters have been approved, with allocations ranging between 20 and 50 tons. All exports must be completed by October 5, and the permissions are non-transferable. Authorities have also stated that the export order can be suspended at any time if deemed necessary.
Hilsa from the Padma River is highly popular among Bengalis in West Bengal. However, due to declining production, Bangladesh had halted hilsa exports to India after 2012. Since then, exports have been allowed only on special occasions such as Durga Puja. Last year, Bangladesh approved 2,420 tons, but only 532 tons were actually shipped through Benapole. Export volumes in recent years have consistently fallen short of the approved quota.
Saiful Islam, proprietor of Swarnali Enterprise, said this year’s exported hilsa weigh between 900 grams and 1 kilogram each. He expressed hope that the government-approved exports, priced as stipulated, would not only satisfy demand during the festival but also strengthen bilateral trade and goodwill between Bangladesh and India.