The national fish, hilsa, is selling at the highest prices of the year in Patuakhali's markets. Supply is low, and with fishermen unable to go to sea in hostile weather, hilsa has become a "dream fish" for buyers. For middle-class families it is no longer part of everyday meals but a luxury.

At the Patuakhali municipal New Market area, fish sellers were seen sitting with just 30-40 hilsa. Although buyers crowded around, many walked away on hearing the price. Some were buying at high prices only because their families insisted.

Hilsa of 400-450g are currently selling at Tk 1,600 a kg, 500-600g hilsa at Tk 1,800, 600-800g hilsa at Tk 2,100 and 800-900g hilsa at Tk 2,300 a kg. Larger hilsa of 900-1,000g have reached Tk 2,500 a kg. Previously, these hilsa sold for a minimum of Tk 300 and a maximum of Tk 1,900.

Firoz Biswas, who came to buy hilsa, expressed anger at the price. "At this price it is not possible for people like us to buy hilsa. We have to spend according to our income," he said.

Buyer Zakir Hossain said: "There are very few hilsa in the market compared with other fish, which is why the price is so high. I wanted to eat hilsa, but I can't buy it at this price. Maybe I will buy later if the price falls."

Seller Jalil Mridha said sales were also low because of the high prices. "Less fish is coming in, so we are selling much less and making less profit. Customers come, ask the price and leave. I can't sell," he said.

Another seller, Shafiqul Islam, said: "Fishermen can't fish properly at sea. Supply has fallen because of bad weather and rain. Demand in the market is high but there is no supply, so the price has gone up."

Patuakhali district fisheries officer Kamrul Islam said: "When fishermen went to sea after the 58-day ban ended, they could not catch much because of the excessive heat. Then continuous rain and hostile weather stopped them going into the deep sea. As a result the supply of hilsa and other sea fish has fallen. That is why hilsa prices are high now."

He added that once the situation returns to normal and fishermen can fish regularly, supply in the market will increase, prices will come down and hilsa will be back within reach of ordinary people.

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