Hilsa prices have fallen somewhat in Lakshmipur on the bank of the Meghna, and sales have picked up in local markets. Large, sorted fish are also going by pickup every day to Dhaka, Cumilla and other districts.

For several days one-kilogram hilsa have been selling for Tk 1,800-2,200 in the market, compared with Tk 2,500 just 15 days ago. Small hilsa of 200-250 grams sell for Tk 600-800 a kg.

This was learned on 22 September from eight fishers and depot owners at Haimchar in coastal Chandpur and at the Hajimara, Khaserhat, Ludhua and Alexander fish landings in Lakshmipur.

They said fishers have been catching somewhat more fish in the river and sea than before over the past 10-15 days, though most are medium and small. This has brought some relief to fishing villages, fish traders, depot owners and others in the trade.

On the afternoon of 19 September, a hilsa weighing two and a half kilograms arrived at the Majuchowdhury fish landing in Sadar upazila. It was sold wholesale at auction for Tk 9,250.

Fish trader Mohammad Helal said a fish this big caught in the Meghna had not come to this landing in 20 years. It was caught in fishers' nets from a small boat.

At about 9pm on Monday at Dakshin Temuhani in the town, there were at least 20-25 baskets of hilsa and a large crowd of buyers, gathered especially in front of the small fish amid loud calling. Only three or four sellers had large fish.

Faruk Moktar, a retail fish seller at Majuchowdhury Hat, said large hilsa are down Tk 500-700 a kg. People are buying more jatka at low prices, and he too sells mostly small fish, as the large ones earn less profit. Arrivals have also been higher for several days, he said.

Mostafa Bepari, president of the Lakshmipur fishermen's federation, said hilsa prices have fallen somewhat at the landings and markets. With no rain, fishers going to the river and sea are not getting the hilsa they hoped for.

Jasim Uddin, senior assistant director of the Lakshmipur district fisheries department, said hilsa prices were somewhat lower for a while. Because there is no rain, fishers' nets are not now catching many fish, and they are hoping for bigger catches.

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