bangladesh More than 50 tonnes of Hilsa fish has reached West Bengal. Importers gave this information on Saturday. The interim government of the neighboring country has allowed export of fish till mid-October during the Durga Puja festival. Another consignment of similar quantity of ‘Padmar Ilish’ (Hilsa caught from Padma river), a favorite delicacy of the people of the state, is expected to arrive very soon. The Fish Importers’ Association (FIA) recently wrote to the interim government of Bangladesh urging it to allow the export of Hilsa. He has been doing this during the festival as a goodwill gesture for the last five years.
Another consignment of 50 tonnes will arrive
“The first consignment of more than 50 tonnes arrived through Petrapole border two days ago,” FIA Secretary Syed Anwar Maqsood told PTI. It was sent to many wholesale markets in Kolkata and districts. Another consignment of about 50 tonnes is expected to arrive in a day. He said that the weight of Hilsa ranges from 700 grams to one kilogram and its price ranges from Rs 900 per kg to Rs 1300-1500 per kg. The Kolkata-based National Marine Fish Importer-Exporter body expects to receive a total of more than 2,000 tonnes of hilsa by October 12, which is the last date for arrival of the consignment from Bangladesh. There is a ban on Hilsa fishing in the neighboring country for some time from October 13.
Bangladesh is the world’s largest Hilsa producer
Bangladesh had given permission to 79 companies to export a total of 4,000 tonnes to India in 2023. Bangladesh is the world’s largest producer of hilsa, but bans the export of this fish due to high local demand. However, during Durga Puja festivities, he usually relaxes the ban on export of this fish, which is a very favorite dish of Bengalis.
