Bangla half-nod sets many hurdles for Padma-r ilish
Times of India | 17 September 2025However, importers in Kolkata — the largest market for hilsa in India — expect less than 500 tonnes to arrive, the lowest in recent years, as the trading window closes on Oct 6. Additionally, the hilsa catch reported from Bangladesh rivers in recent weeks have been poor.
"We were delighted when the Bangladesh govt gave permission for hilsa export last week. On Tuesday, they issued the formal order allocating how much each of the 37 fish trading firms who applied for permission could export.
However, the restriction of the trade to a brief window of a little over two weeks means less than 500 tonnes of hilsa could actually arrive in India. That is lower than the 577 tonnes we received last festive season," said Fish Importers' Association secretary Syed Anwar Maqsood.
Last year, exports were allowed until the ban on hilsa fishing kicked in on Nov 12. Maqsood, perplexed by the impractical time window for exporting 1,200 tonnes of hilsa amid low catch, has appealed to Bangladeshi officials to extend the window while maintaining the volume for meaningful trade between the two countries.
On Aug 29, Maqsood wrote to the Bangladesh commerce ministry advisor and secretary, as well as the foreign secretary, highlighting that the full quantity of fish exports permitted had not reached Indian shores in the past four years.
"In the past, the entire quantity was required to be exported in 30-45 days. But this year, despite an early Durga Puja, less than 20 days have been allowed for the trade. Such a time frame is insufficient for exporting the quantity permitted," he said.
Though trucks laden with hilsa have already reached the Benapole-Petrapole border, Petrapole Clearing Agent Staff Welfare Association secretary Kartick Chakraborty said they would have to wait till Thursday due to Viswakarma Puja on Wednesday. "Unloading and related work may not happen on the day of Vishwakarma Puja. By Thursday, many more trucks will enter Petrapole."
Only one Bangladeshi firm has been allowed to export 50 tonnes while nine are permitted 40 tonnes each, 25 companies can export 30 tonnes each, and two exporters 20 tonnes each.
Rabindranath Barmon, who has bagged 10 licences, said that though there was excitement among fish traders, workers, fishermen, and exporters, the scarcity of fish in the rivers was a worry.
Kazi Mannan, one of the exporters who bagged four export licences of 30 tonnes each, also said he was unsure how much he would finally be able to export. "I will despatch my first consignment after Viswakarma Puja," he said.
The Bangladesh govt has set a minimum export price of $12.5 per kg (Rs 1,100 per kg) for hilsa exports this year, up from $10 per kg (Rs 850 per kg) last year. Maqsood said the price of fish in the wholesale market in Kolkata would be around Rs 1,500-Rs 1,600 per kg, potentially translating to a retail price of approximately Rs 1,800-Rs 2,200 per kg.
