Hilsa Exports

Photo: Collected Hilsa cartons being loaded on truck

8,000 kg of Padma Hilsa shipped to India in first consignment

The trucks carrying entered the Petrapol port in India after completing customs and port formalities on Monday (September 5) evening.

Earlier, on Sunday (September 4), the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh allowed 49 companies to export hilsa to India. Each company can export 50 tonnes of hilsa.

On Monday evening, the first shipment of eight metric tons of hilsa was exported to India. The exporting company is Mahima Enterprises of Barisal. The importing company is SR International of India. Inspector Mahabub Rahman of Benapole Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Office confirmed that Hilsa fish is being exported at USD 10 per kg (Tk 949 in Bangladesh).

He said, "The remaining hilsa will be exported in stages. There are instructions to export all hilsa by September 30."

According to the related sources, Padma hilsa is loved by the Bengalis of West Bengal, but the Bangladesh government stops exporting it at various times considering the country's demand. In 2012, a ban was imposed on the export of hilsa from Bangladesh to India. However, since then Bangladesh government has sent hilsa as a greeting gift to the Indian government several times.

Last year, the Ministry of Commerce allowed 115 exporters to export 4,600 tonnes of hilsa to India during Durga Puja. At that time, 108 tonnes 280 kg of hilsa were exported due to the hilsa crisis and the purchase price was higher than the export price.

Mizanur Rahman, manager of Benapole C&F agent Yuthi Enterprises said, this time the export price of hilsa per kg is 10 US dollars. Which is 947 taka 39 paisa per kg in Bangladeshi taka. This consignment of hilsa will be exempted from the customs of India and Bangladesh under duty-free facility. Hilsa of an exporter named Mahima Enterprises of Barisal has gone to India.