By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh has resumed export of hilsa after six months and the much-sought after fish is already in the Kolkata market, selling at a steep Rs.300 per kg.
The exports began mid-week after a six-month ban to allow the reproduction cycle of the fish, which is equally popular on both sides of the India-Bangladesh border.
India is hilsa’s biggest export market. Bangladesh exported 3,414 tonnes during 2006-07 and 4,495 tonnes during 2005-06.
However, besides the official exports, much more is smuggled out. The Bangladesh government had banned the exports also to make it more affordable for the locals. The measure had helped reduce local prices by 30 to 50 percent, a newspaper said.
Three Bangladeshi firms sent out the first shipments of 43 tonnes that crossed the border at Benapole-Petrapole through the land customs port.
Export of hilsa fish – a gourmet’s favourite – from Bangladesh to India resumed from Wednesday, after expiry of a six-month ban, The Daily Star newspaper reported from Barisal, the fishing hub in southern Bangladesh.
In the market of West Bengal in India, the hilsa was auctioned at Indian Rs.180-200 per kg in the wholesale market.
As the exported Bangladeshi fish reached in time for the Saraswati Puja, the Hindu festival dedicated to the goddess of learning, it is expected to get a good market and retail price up to Rs.300 per kg, the newspaper said.
Bangladesh has set a target of 300,000 tonnes of hilsa catch by June-end.