Bangladesh is no longer sending hilsa to India for the upcoming Durga Puja. In a reversal, Bangladesh itself has imported about 500 metric tons of hilsa from India this year.
Usually every year, just before the Puja, around mid-September, the Bangladesh government gives permission to send hilsa to India. But this time, with that specific period having passed and all permits canceled, traders no longer have any time. In addition, as the period when Bangladeshi fishers must stop catching hilsa is approaching, there is no longer an opportunity for hilsa to reach India this time.
The reason for this unusual reversal in trade is that hilsa production in Bangladesh has been somewhat lower this year. To meet domestic demand, fish are instead being bought from India. These fish were brought especially from India’s Gujarat, and because they contain a large amount of roe, they are in strong demand among buyers in Chattogram and Sylhet.
Since 2012, Bangladesh had generally kept hilsa exports to India suspended. From 2019, however, the rule was relaxed for a few days each year during Puja. That practice continued even after the political changeover. But with it completely stopped this time, Indians’ hopes of having the tasty Padma hilsa on their plates during Durga Puja this year have turned into disappointment.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report