Hilsa Fish Prices Soar in Dhaka Markets Amid Low Supply
Hilsa fish prices have surged in Dhaka markets due to low supply, with prices reaching up to 3,000 BDT per kilogram. Consumers and veteran traders report that the cost has become comparable to gold, placing the fish out of reach for middle-class buyers.
Shoppers visiting markets in Dhaka's Mohammadpur area, including Chandrima Bazar, Geneva Camp Bazar, and Town Hall Bazar, encountered exceptionally high prices and low supplies of Hilsa fish on August 25, 2025. According to findings reported by Dhaka Post, the market situation has left many consumers struggling to afford a staple fish that has traditionally been abundant in the country. Depending on the size, quality, and freshness of the catch, Hilsa prices are currently ranging widely from 600 BDT to as high as 3,000 BDT per kilogram.
Market observations detail a stark price divide between fresh catches and preserved alternatives. Cold-storage-preserved Hilsa is currently selling for approximately 2,500 BDT per kilogram in the markets. Meanwhile, truly fresh Hilsa has seen its prices climb steeply, reaching up to 3,000 BDT per kilogram. Even smaller sizes of Hilsa are carrying a hefty price tag, with the smaller varieties starting from 600 BDT per kilogram.
Consumers are feeling the financial pinch acutely, noting that the beloved fish is no longer accessible to ordinary households. Borhanuddin, a local shopper speaking about the current market conditions, expressed frustration over the affordability crisis. He stated that Hilsa fish is practically non-existent for the middle class anymore, noting that even the smallest Hilsa costs around a thousand takas per kilogram. Illustrating his recent purchase, Borhanuddin explained that he bought a single 850-gram Hilsa fish for 2,000 BDT.
Beyond the high costs, shoppers face deceptive trade practices that make purchasing even more difficult. Borhanuddin pointed out that it is challenging to distinguish between good and bad fish in the market, declaring that the price of Hilsa has become like gold. He further described dishonest tactics used by certain sellers, noting that ice is packed onto the fish bodies during weighing, and some vendors even try to pool melted ice water on the weighing scales to artificially increase the measured weight.
Veteran fish traders with decades of experience are also acknowledging the severe market imbalance. Badsha, a fish merchant who has been in the business for 52 years, remarked that while there is a high demand for Hilsa across the country, the supply is currently very low. He added that the transport routes and river ports are plagued by deceitful middlemen at every step. Emphasizing the irony of the situation, Badsha noted that Hilsa fish are caught naturally in the country's rivers without requiring any farming costs, yet they command prices as precious as gold.
Furthermore, traders warn that consumers must be extremely vigilant when inspecting fish at the stalls. Badsha explained that merely looking at the fish is not enough, and buyers must know how to properly identify what they are purchasing. Because not everyone possesses the expertise to select fish, many buyers cannot differentiate between cold-storage fish and fresh fish. Badsha noted that dishonest traders exploit this lack of consumer knowledge to sell lower-priced preserved fish at much higher rates.
