Hilsa is now being cut and sold in pieces in Rajshahi. Leaders of the Rajshahi Traders' Unity Council and the fishermen's association inaugurated the sale of cut hilsa at the fish section of the city's Shaheb Bazar on Thursday morning (10 October). Low-income people were happy to be able to buy hilsa after a long time, and the first day drew a strong response.
A visit to the market found that hilsa prices have been sky-high in the country's markets for a long time, putting the taste of hilsa out of reach of low-income people. Now the public will be able to enjoy it, an opportunity created by Rajshahi's traders.
They say anyone can now buy as little as 250 grams of hilsa, although it costs Tk 200 a kg more than whole fish.
Buyers happy but want prices watched
Shahidul Islam, who came to buy hilsa, said: "I couldn't buy hilsa because the price was high. I came after hearing the announcement yesterday. Now I'll buy fish, in small amounts, and I'll get to taste hilsa. But the price is high. Someone needs to look into that."
Entaj Ali bought three portions of hilsa. "I bought three portions for myself and for people in the neighbouring area. Each portion cost Tk 500. I am happy to be able to buy this fish," he said.
Mobarak Hossain, a fish seller at Shaheb Bazar, said: "Anyone who wants can still buy a whole fish, or they can buy it cut. On the first day demand for cut fish is high. Buying cut fish costs Tk 200 more than the normal per-kg price, because the guts have to be removed after cutting. Sales are good for a first day."
Traders to monitor sales and prices
Sekendar Ali, general secretary of the Rajshahi Traders' Coordination Council, said the initiative followed buyers' long-standing demand, so that people of all walks of life can buy hilsa. "There are many people who haven't eaten hilsa for 10-15 years. They complained to us, and this was started because of them. The response on the first day has been very good. In the first half hour I saw about 8-10 hilsa sold," he said.
He said they would monitor to ensure cut hilsa is always on sale, take action against anyone who refuses to cut and sell hilsa, and keep prices under watch.
Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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