Hilsa Havoc: Bumper Catch from Bangladesh Faces Price Hike

The first shipment of 2,000 kg of Hilsa fish from Bangladesh landed in Tripura on Thursday, stirring excitement ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations. The Bangladesh government has sanctioned the export of 12 tonnes of this highly coveted delicacy, pricing it at $9 per kilogram, or around Rs 1,125.

Tapas Ghosh, a fish importer, acknowledged that prices would be steep this year due to a shortfall in Hilsa production in Bangladesh. He noted that a kilogram of Hilsa could fetch between Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,000 in the wholesale market, a significant increase from last year's pricing between Rs 1,400 and Rs 1,500.

Subhash Das, representing the Battala Wholesale Fish Market Committee, confirmed the Hilsa arrival but cautioned consumers about elevated prices, citing reduced supply from Bangladesh and a stronger US dollar. Meanwhile, local markets offer Hilsa from Indian states such as Odisha and West Bengal, providing alternatives to Bangladeshi Hilsa.

(With inputs from agencies.)