Bangladesh approves 3,000 tonnes of hilsa export to India ahead of Durga Puja
The Ministry of Commerce has approved export of hilsa to India ahead of Durga Puja festival, which begins on 8 October.
In an official order signed by Sultana Akhter, deputy secretary of the ministry, it was announced that the export of 3,000 tonnes of hilsa fish has been approved, according to a press release issued today, reports UNB.
This decision came following requests from several exporters, with the ministry setting specific conditions for the export.
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Exporters have been asked to submit their applications to the commerce ministry by noon on 24 September. Applications should be addressed to the deputy secretary, Export-2 Branch, Room 127, Building-3, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.
No applications will be accepted after the deadline, though those who have already applied are not required to submit new applications.
Previously, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said that hilsa would not be exported to India this year, stressing that the interim government aims to increase the supply of hilsa in the domestic market.
Hilsa has been recognised as a geographical indication (GI) product of Bangladesh since 2017. Bangladesh has been exporting hilsa to India for five consecutive years, although exports were suspended from 2012 to 2018. Each year, Indian traders express a demand for approximately 5,000 tonnes of hilsa during the Durga Puja festival.
In the fiscal year 2023-24, Bangladesh exported 664.86 tonnes of hilsa to India, generating $7.71 million in revenue, according to data from the Department of Fisheries. In the previous fiscal year, 2022-23, the country exported 1,376.42 tonnes of hilsa, worth $13.68 million.
In fiscal year 2022-23, Bangladesh produced a total of 571,342 tonnes of hilsa, slightly up from 566,593 tonnes in fiscal year 2021-22.
According to sources from the commerce ministry, the Kolkata Fish Importers Association recently submitted a request to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, asking for hilsa for Durga Puja. The Deputy High Commission then informed the commerce ministry and the foreign affairs ministry about the request.
