Bangladesh Imports 350 Tons of Indian Hilsa via Benapole Port

Nineteen importing firms have successfully imported over 350,000 kilograms, or 350 tons, of Hilsa fish from India through the Benapole land port during the current fiscal year covering July and August. The total value of these imported consignments has reached nearly 7 crore BDT over the past two months, providing a notable supply of fish to local markets.

Most of the imported Hilsa originates from Gujarat in India, making its way across the border through the Petrapole-Benapole crossing. According to officials, the Department of Fisheries granted limited permission for these Hilsa imports following formal applications submitted by the business community.

The decision to allow these shipments comes at a time when Bangladesh's domestic Hilsa production has experienced a noticeable decline over the past three years. Experts attribute this domestic reduction to several environmental and operational factors, including ongoing river pollution and the indiscriminate catching of juvenile Hilsa, locally known as jatka.

As market supplies remain constrained and domestic yields fall short, traders have capitalized on the opportunity to source fish from neighboring India. With imported fish selling readily across the region, these authorized shipments help supplement the domestic availability of Hilsa during a period of reduced local catch.