Another 45 tonnes 200 kg of hilsa has been exported to India through Benapole port in Jashore. The port authority gave clearance after quality checks at about 4pm on 28 September.

Earlier, on Thursday, 54 tonnes 460 kg of hilsa went to India on 20 trucks. In two days, 99 tonnes 660 kg of hilsa has been exported to India through Benapole, at $10 a kilogram.

Local sources said hilsa prices in the domestic market have risen by as much as Tk 400-500 a kg. At the fish depots of Benapole bazar, hilsa weighing one kilogram sold wholesale for Tk 1,650 to Tk 1,700. By that measure, fish of the same size are being exported to India for about Tk 500-600 less. The export price has been set at $10 a kg.

Ismail Hossain, general secretary of the Navaran Bazar Fish Wholesalers' Association, said: "When one-kilo hilsa sells for Tk 1,650 a kg in the local market, how is it being exported to India at Tk 1,180 a kg? Hilsa of 700-800 grams are selling at Tk 1,500 a kg in the market."

Kartik Chakraborty, secretary of the Petrapole Clearing Agent Staff Welfare Association at Benapole, said Bengalis' Durga Puja meals feel incomplete without hilsa, and that the joy of the festival is spoilt without a range of hilsa dishes, whether at restaurants or at home.

Ramkrishna Biswas, an importer at the Petrapole checkpost, said Bangladeshi hilsa would now keep arriving a little at a time every day. "It is a joy that the hilsa has finally arrived. The Bangladesh government sent hilsa last time too. It is a bit late this time, but Bengalis will get to taste this fish."

Aswadul Alam, inspector at the fish inspection and quality control centre at Benapole land port, said this brought the two days' exports to India to 99 tonnes 660 kg, and that entry to India was being allowed after quality checks.

Exports of 2,420 tonnes of hilsa have been approved through various ports. However, the Ministry of Commerce has instructed exporters to complete their shipments to India by 12 October.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.