Dried Fish export ban to Bangladesh imperils thousands in India

Thousands of families in the Sundarbans region of West Bengal are in dire straits due to the suspension of dried fish exports to Bangladesh.

The informal halt in cross-border trade has left businesses in coastal areas such as Fraserganj, Kakdwip, Patharpratima, and Bakkhali in disarray.

Exporters and local traders say that for years, dried fish harvested from the Bay of Bengal and nearby rivers had a steady demand in Bangladesh, generating significant seasonal income. However, ongoing diplomatic tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi have brought the trade to a standstill in 2025.

As a result, large quantities of dried fish remain unsold, drying yards lie abandoned, and families dependent on the trade are facing increasing financial hardship. “This was our main source of income. Now we have no buyers, no income, and no way to sustain our families,” said a trader from Kakdwip. Others echoed the sentiment, calling for immediate government intervention to reopen the market.

The impact extends beyond traders. Fishermen, laborers, and transport workers tied to the industry are also unemployed. With the onset of the monsoon, which traditionally halts fishing activity, the crisis has deepened further.

According to Indian government statistics, West Bengal produced 14,300 metric tonnes of dried fish during the 2023–24 fiscal year, a large portion of which was exported to Bangladesh. Kerala-style dried fish is especially popular in Bangladeshi markets, making the loss of this trade a blow to both producers and exporters.

Local communities warn that this is no longer just an economic issue, but a growing social crisis. "We don’t want aid—we want access to work and markets," said a trader, urging both central and state governments to act swiftly.