Fish supply in the markets of the capital Dhaka has fallen over the past few days, and continuous rain has also kept buyers away. As a result, the prices of hilsa and all other fish have risen. Hilsa weighing more than one kg is selling at Tk 2,600 a kg. The price of pangas, known as the poor man's fish, has also risen, with large pangas selling at Tk 280 a kg.

That was the picture at the New Market fish market in the capital on Friday afternoon (1 August).

Katla weighing 6 kg sold at Tk 700 a kg, and katla of 10 to 11 kg at Tk 850 a kg. Small shrimp sold at Tk 600 to 700 a kg, foli at Tk 450 a kg, pabda at Tk 450 and tilapia at Tk 220 a kg.

Sellers said sales of big fish are somewhat slow. Supply has been a little lower over the past two days, which has pushed prices up somewhat, and rain since the morning has also reduced the number of buyers.

Buyers said sellers are asking more because there is less fish in the market. They feel the price of hilsa has kept rising until it is now beyond the reach of the middle class.

Shopper Horun Ahmad told Jagonews at New Market: "There is little fish in the market. I saw some hilsa, but the price is high. I couldn't find tilapia either. I thought I would buy some small local fish, but that isn't there either. I don't know what fish to buy now; I'll look around the market some more."

Seller Rubayet told Jagonews: "Fish prices are a bit high today. There is less fish at the wholesale arat and it costs more. I brought a small amount and have sold some. Since today is a holiday, buyers will come even after the afternoon."

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