In about a month, hilsa prices have fallen at Chandpur's Borostation fish ghat, one of the country's largest hilsa markets. Depending on size, the silver fish is selling for Tk 300 to 500 a kg less than before.

Traders say they were forced to lower prices because fewer buyers are coming to the market, although supply has not yet risen as hoped. With the ban on sea fishing over, those involved hope prices will fall further once sea hilsa starts arriving in the next few days.

A visit to the Borostation fish ghat found that demand is being met with hilsa from local rivers. The wholesale depots have large hilsa, but not in great quantity. Still, with prices down a little from a few days ago, buyers are showing interest.

Hilsa traders Nabir Hossain and Nahid Hossain said that a few weeks ago hilsa weighing one kg sold for Tk 3,000 to 3,500. Fish of the same size now sell for Tk 2,500 to 3,000. Hilsa under one kg cost Tk 1,800 to 2,000.

They said supply has not risen much, but buyers have fallen away; many are avoiding hilsa because of the high price, so traders have had to cut prices somewhat. If sea hilsa starts reaching the ghat in the next 8 to 10 days, prices could drop by another Tk 200 to 300.

Hilsa wholesaler Zia Pradhania said sea fishing has only just begun, and it will take another week for that catch to reach Chandpur. Local river hilsa has not fully started arriving either. The full season will begin in July, when sea and river hilsa will come to market together and supply is likely to double. When supply rises, hilsa will come within ordinary people's reach.

Nayan, a Rajshahi resident visiting the Chandpur ghat, said hilsa is comparatively cheaper in Rajshahi, but Chandpur's hilsa is fresher and bigger. "I am looking around different depots and will buy some if the price suits me," he said.

Another buyer, Ashikur Rahman Tushar, said hilsa seems a little cheaper than last week, but there is very little fish in the market. Traders told him prices fell because buyers had dropped off.

Shabe Barat Sarkar, general secretary of the Chandpur Fish Traders' Cooperative Society, said supply at the ghat has not risen significantly. No hilsa came from the sea for a long time because of the ban, so there is a shortfall, and trading is running on local river hilsa.

He said only 10 to 12 maunds of hilsa a day are reaching the ghat, far below demand. The real picture will be clear once sea hilsa starts arriving within a week. Prices will fall further if supply rises, and even if supply does not rise much, prices may stay somewhat lower given market conditions.

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