Fair-price hilsa stock ends in an hour

Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) on Sunday launched an initiative to sell hilsa at a fair price, drawing thousands to its outlet at Karwanbazar in the capital.
Fisheries and livestock adviser Farida Akhter inaugurated the hilsa sales drive at 2:00 pm, offering the dainty silvery fish at Tk 600 a kg, when its mainstream market price is now Tk 1,600-2,850 a kg.
As only 100 kgs of hilsa were allocated for sales in the city of 15 million people, it took
only an hour to end the stock, according to BFDC officials.
"Sales will continue based on stock availability, and buyers can buy from tomorrow (Monday)," says BFDC manager (marketing).
Hafizur Rahman, a vegetable retailer at Karwan Bazar, expressed his frustration as he cannot get the national fish.
"It has taken only an hour to end the hilsa stock," he says.
Monwara Begum, a spice retailer at Karwan Bazar, said she could not buy hilsa for long two years because of its higher prices.
She also said she had a target to buy at least half a kg of hilsa at Tk 300, but failed to get it amid a huge crowd of buyers.
BFDC director (purchase and marketing) Adwaita Chandra Das told the FE that hilsa weighing between 450 grams and 900 grams was available at an average price of Tk 600 a kg.
The BFDC has a freezing capacity of 100 kgs of hilsa at a fridge, he says. "We're trying to sell 200 kgs of hilsa from Monday (today)," he added.
This initiative, undertaken by the BFDC in collaboration with the Marine Fisheries Association, aims to address existing challenges in the hilsa supply and value chain, the BFDC director mentions. "Within the success of the hilsa sale, we have a target to expand it to minimise involvement of middlemen in the hilsa value chain."
Speaking at the inauguration, fisheries adviser Farida Akhter said, "Hilsa is more than just our national fish. It is deeply tied to our culture, taste and lifestyle. Every Bangladeshi has the right to get this fish at an affordable price."
"When this initiative may not meet everyone's needs, we aim to expand it to reach more people in the future."
The programme is expected to continue, depending on the availability of hilsa stock.
[email protected]