Hilsa production rose in Bangladesh during this year's monsoon, and prices in the market have fallen considerably as a result. The steady rise in hilsa production over the past few years is thought to be due to various government measures to ensure the fish can breed and complete its life cycle.

This year fishers were banned from catching hilsa for 65 days, from 20 May to 23 July. When fishing resumed after the long break, huge quantities of hilsa began to be caught in their nets.

As supply in the market rose, prices fell. For the past few months hilsa has been available almost everywhere in Bangladesh at lower prices than in recent years.

According to the Department of Fisheries, hilsa production in Bangladesh has nearly tripled over the past decade.

Dr Anisur Rahman, chief scientific officer and hilsa researcher at the government's Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), believes that if the conservation measures taken in recent years continue to be implemented effectively, hilsa production will keep rising and prices will stay low.

The monsoon is generally regarded as the hilsa season in Bangladesh. Because production and catches were higher this year than in other monsoons, prices were comparatively lower than in other years.

He thinks people will be able to enjoy these low hilsa prices throughout October.

"September and October are considered the 'high time' for hilsa. During this period hilsa move from the sea through the estuaries towards the big rivers to spawn and feed, so a lot of hilsa is caught at this time," he said.

But while prices will stay low until October, Mr Rahman said they are likely to rise from the middle of November.

"From mid to late November hilsa become scarce. Fewer are caught then, so naturally the price goes up," he said.

Source: BBC Bangla. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.