Bangladesh to export 1,475 tonnes of hilsa to India for Durga Puja

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The government has decided to send 1,475 tonnes of hilsa fish to India as a gesture of goodwill on the occasion of Durga Puja, an annual Hindu event, and has recently given the go-ahead to nine exporters to commence shipments from the next week.

The commerce ministry shared the details with a circular issued on September 10.

"It's a Durga Puja surprise for the persons of India," said Nargis Murshida, deputy secretary (export-2) of the commerce ministry.

"This past year, we allowed the export of 500 tonnes of hilsa fish," she added.

Hilsa, the national fish of Bangladesh, is principally exported from the Pathorghata, Bhola, Barishal, Kalapara districts of Barishal division and from Chandpur under Chattogram division.

Exporters from various areas of the country purchase the seafood from these areas before shipping and delivery them abroad.

Around 200 persons have requested permission to export hilsa this season but simply nine got the chance, stated Nirab Hossain Tutul, president of the Barishal Matso Arotdar Samity, an area committee of seafood wholesalers.

Hilsa fish of 800 to at least one 1,200 grams in proportions will be exported this year, said Tutul, who is the only local exporter to be included in the set of nine exporters.

Nevertheless, the per kilogram selling price of the fish is certainly but to be fixed.

Export of the fishes to India's West Bengal through Benapole slot will continue until October 10, in line with the traders and exporters in Barishal.

At present, different preparations are ongoing. This season, the exporters have to operate under quarantine orders from the authorities concerned to make certain that the fishes happen to be safe , nor spread Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the cost of hilsa at area markets increased when the reports of the brand new export order premiered, Tutul said. In local markets, each kilogramme of hilsa fish is currently selling at Tk 850 to Tk 900 while it was Tk 750 yesterday, he added.

Over 80 % of the hilsa seafood which is exported to India this season should come from the Barishal belt, according to Ajit Kumar Das Manu, an area hilsa trader.

"Last year, 350 tonnes from the 500 tonnes shipped to India originated from Barishal," Manu said.

Hilsa development has increased in Barishal in recent times thanks to strict supervision and widespread promotions from the government to protect and allow the fishes to grow greater, said Bimol Chandra Das, district fisheries officer (hilsa).  

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net

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