Supplies of winter fish have increased in Bhola's markets, but high prices for hilsa and other river fish are leaving ordinary shoppers gasping. Low- and middle-income buyers have found some relief as farmed fish has become Tk 50 to Tk 100 a kg cheaper.

Visits to several markets in Bhola on the morning of Saturday 3 January found that although the supply of river fish had increased, prices were up by Tk 200 to Tk 300 a kg. Hilsa weighing 1 kg was selling for Tk 2,500 to Tk 2,800, even though the fish is caught in Bhola's own rivers.

According to retailers, 1 kg hilsa now sells for Tk 2,500–2,800, hilsa of 700–900 grams for Tk 2,000–2,400 and hilsa of 450–600 grams for Tk 1,200–1,800. Among other river fish, koral (sea bass) sells for Tk 850–1,000 a kg, pangas for Tk 750–850 and air for Tk 1,100–1,400.

Farmed fish prices, on the other hand, have fallen somewhat. Rui and catla sell for Tk 250–400 a kg, pangas for Tk 160 and farmed koi for Tk 250 a kg.

Local people are angry about river fish prices in Bhola. Shopper Harun Or Rashid said a large part of the country's hilsa is found in Bhola, yet people there have to buy it at high prices, which is sad.

Another shopper, Sumaiya Islam, said she had come to buy hilsa to entertain relatives but, finding it beyond her budget, had to go home with pond rui instead.

Shoppers Md Milon Mijhi and Md Hasnain said they had come to market on their day off to buy river fish, but prices were very high. "You can't even touch hilsa, and koral and pangas are expensive too," they said.

Another shopper, Md Mohsin, said he had come for river fish but, because of the prices, was going home with pond catla and farmed pangas.

Hilsa retailer Md Jahangir said they have to buy hilsa at high prices at the landing ghat, so they also sell it in the market at Tk 2–3 more a kg.

Pond and farmed fish retailer Md Jasim said prices had fallen by Tk 50–100 a kg as supply rose in winter, but pond and farmed fish sell less because buyers are more drawn to river fish.

Bhola district agricultural marketing officer Md Mostafa Sohel said markets are being monitored regularly. If any seller manipulates prices and buyers make a written complaint, strict legal action will be taken, he said.

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