April 11, 2025
DHAKA – At Pahela Baishakh, Bangalees from both sides of the border indulge in “Panta Ilish,” a traditional dish featuring a piece of fried hilsa served with rice soaked in water and sometimes accompanied by a green chilli.
Consequently, a week before the Bangla New Year on April 14, the demand for hilsa skyrockets.
This surge in demand leads some traders who stock the national fish in cold storage to sell it at prices higher than usual. However, the demand for fresh hilsa is even greater, resulting in even steeper prices.
At Karwan Bazar in the capital, Sukkur Ali has been selling hilsa for the past 30 years. “Every year, ahead of Pahela Baishakh, both the demand and prices of hilsa fish shoot up. In my shop, we have cold-stored fish weighing between 1 and 1.5 kg, which we are selling for Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,200 per kg,” he said.
Sukkur noted that cold-stored hilsa is not the first choice for customers, as most prefer fresh catch. However, larger fresh hilsa, weighing 1 kg to 1.5 kg, is difficult to find. “If we can find it at wholesale markets, the price is at least Tk 3,000 per kg, but it’s hard to come by,” he added.
Freshly caught hilsa at Sukkur Ali’s shop. PHOTO: THE DAILY STAR
Currently, most of the fresh hilsa available weighs between 450 g and 650 g. Fish weighing 450 g to 500 g are selling for Tk 1,400 per kg, while those weighing between 550 g and 650 g are priced at Tk 1,700 to Tk 1,800 per kg. Small-sized fresh hilsa, weighing between 300 g and 400 g per kg, is more abundant in Dhaka markets, priced between Tk 800 and Tk 1,000 per kg.
During a visit to Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, and Mirpur kitchen markets, similar price ranges were observed. Meanwhile, a supermarket in Farmgate was found selling fresh hilsa weighing 1 kg to 1.5 kg for Tk 3,200 per kg.
Abdul Kader, a customer from East Rajabazar, visited Karwan Bazar to purchase hilsa. He bought two fish weighing 600 gramme each for Tk 1,700 per kg. “Buying hilsa at this price is very tough for a middle-class family. However, as Pahela Baishakh is around the corner, I decided to get this for my family,” Abdul Kader said.
Our correspondent in Barishal reported that fish over 1 kg at the wholesale market was being sold at Tk 1,30,000 per 40 kg, making fresh catch weighing 1 kg and above priced at Tk 3,250 per kg. Fish weighing 500 g to 600 g were priced between Tk 60,000 and Tk 70,000 per maund (40 kg).
Abdul Salam, president of the Barishal Fish Wholesale Market Association, noted that there is a hilsa-fishing ban in six hilsa sanctuaries in Bangladesh from March 1 to April 30.
“As a result, the price of hilsa is very high. Fishermen are casting nets in other areas of the country where the catch is significantly lower,” he added.