CA approves Hilsa price regulation

Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Muhammad Yunus has approved a proposal to regulate market price of Hilsa, following growing concerns over artificially inflated rates driven by syndicates.

The proposal, submitted by the Chandpur district administration, aims to control the price of Hilsa—one of the country's most prized and widely consumed fish—by dismantling supply chain manipulation and ensuring fair pricing.

The decision was confirmed by the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Chandpur on Tuesday night )(July 2).

According to official sources, the approval followed a detailed analysis of the fortnightly confidential report for June 2025, which highlighted public suffering caused by soaring Hilsa prices, particularly in Chandpur—a key Hilsa-producing region. A letter dated June 26 from the Cabinet Division's Field Administration Liaison Branch informed the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner, the Chandpur Deputy Commissioner, and the Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary of the Chief Advisor’s decision.

The letter emphasized that although Hilsa is caught naturally in coastal rivers in regions like Chandpur, Barishal, Bhola, Cox's Bazar, and Patuakhali—where production costs are minimal—its market price is disproportionately high due to manipulation by unscrupulous traders. These traders reportedly create artificial shortages, pushing prices beyond the reach of ordinary consumers.

Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin said, "We believe that setting a base price in consultation with local stakeholders here in Chandpur will influence prices across other districts. This step is crucial to ensure Hilsa remains within reach of the common people."

The Cabinet Division has formally requested the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant bodies to take immediate action to implement the pricing framework and submit a progress report.