37.46 mt of hilsa exported to India in first shipment

The government has permitted 37 exporters to export a total of 1,200 metric tonnes of hilsa to India this year on the occasion of Durga Puja.

On Wednesday (September 17) at around 1am, six firms exported the first consignment of 37.46 metric tonnes of hilsa to India through Benapole land port in Jashore.

According to sources at Benapole port, five importing companies in Kolkata—National Trading, FNS Fish, Joy Shantosi, Ma International and RJ International—imported the fish from Bangladesh.

Among the exporters were Satata Fish (3.6 metric tonnes), Tanisha Enterprise (1.4 metric tonnes), Bishwas Enterprise (12.2 metric tonnes), Lucky Trading (16.8 metric tonnes) and Swarnali Enterprise (4 metric tonnes).

Hilsa exporter Saifur Rahman said, “Today our company exported four tonnes of hilsa to India. The fish have been preserved properly before shipment. The demand for Bangladeshi hilsa in the Indian market has always been high. We are doing our best to ensure timely supply.”

Earlier, the Government of Bangladesh had approved the export of 1,200 metric tonnes of hilsa to India for Durga Puja. Permission was granted to 37 companies: one company received approval for 50 tonnes, 25 companies for 30 tonnes each (a total of 750 tonnes), nine companies for 40 tonnes each (a total of 360 tonnes), and two companies for 20 tonnes each (a total of 40 tonnes).

Benapole Fisheries Quarantine Officer Sojib Saha said that, as per the Ministry of Commerce’s directive, the export must be completed by October 5. The export price has been fixed at USD 12.5 per kilogram.

Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain said, “Today’s hilsa export is a major achievement for Bangladesh’s fisheries sector. We have ensured that the fish reached India safely and in good quality. This export will have a positive impact on the national economy and create new opportunities in the fisheries sector.”