3,000 tonnes of hilsa export to India agreed

FE REPORT | Published: September 21, 2024 23:13:24

Dhaka has finally approved the export of 3000 tonnes of hilsa to India ahead of Durga Puja, the Hindu community's biggest religious festival.
Bangalees both in Bangladesh and West Bengal have a strong fondness for this palatable, silvery fish delicacy.
Commerce ministry issued a circular to this end on Saturday.
Local traders concerned have to apply by September 24 with an eye to exporting hilsa to the neighbouring nation. No application will be accepted after the deadline.
The delicious hilsa is always in great demand in India, especially in West Bengal, during the annual religious festival, and the ministry normally gives the go-ahead to traders for shipments.
On August 11, Farida Akhter, adviser to the fisheries and livestock ministry, said the interim government would allow export of hilsa after meeting the domestic demand for the same.
Sources concerned said the shipment of hilsa to India became uncertain this year due to a changed political situation in Bangladesh.
In the circumstances, the Fish Importers Association of India sent a request to foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain to allow hilsa export to India in line with the trend of previous years.
During shipments, according to a ministry source, traders are required to comply with the export policy, and a thorough physical examination must be conducted by respective customs authorities.
The ministry concerned said an estimated 3,950 tonnes of hilsa in favour of 79 traders were permitted for export during Durga Puja last year.
Previous years also followed a similar pattern as the hilsa export fell short by 30-40 per cent of the export ceilings set by Bangladesh.
Market observers, however, said the export of hilsa might have an impact on the already high prices of this delicious fish in the domestic market.
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