India exports 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh as fish supply falls
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India has exported around 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh over the past two months, reversing the traditional flow of the prized fish between the two countries, according to fish traders.
Another 150 to 200 tonnes is expected to be exported to Bangladesh in the coming weeks as traders there seek to meet domestic demand following reports of lower hilsa production this year.
The consignments have mainly been sourced from Gujarat and shipped through Bharuch port, while some supplies have been routed through the Howrah wholesale fish market in West Bengal.
“Bangladesh has been importing hilsa from India for the first time,” said Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Howrah Wholesale Fish Importers' Association. He said Bangladesh usually receives fish such as boal, rohu, parse and tangra from India, but a shortage of hilsa had prompted the latest imports.
Gujarat hilsa has relatively limited demand in the Indian market because of its high roe content. However, the same characteristic makes it popular among buyers in Bangladesh, particularly in Chattogram and Sylhet.
Maqsood said some of the roe is being sold separately for processing and re-export, while some imported hilsa is being processed for overseas markets. The fish is also being dried and sold as salted hilsa in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is traditionally among the world’s largest hilsa producers, and the fish has an important place in Bengali culinary and cultural traditions on both sides of the border.
India has received hilsa from Bangladesh in recent years ahead of Durga Puja. Last year, Bangladesh permitted the export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India for the festive season.