Save Hilsa from the grips of syndicates

Hilsa is our national fish, deeply cherished in Bengali culture for its unique taste and aroma. For many Bengalis, the absence of hilsa during the season leaves a lingering regret that lasts throughout the year. In fact, for some families, not having hilsa can feel like a loss of social status. The fish is so esteemed that countless poems have been written in its honor. Yet, it often remains out of reach for middle- and low-income households.

Following the July uprising, there was hope among the people to enjoy hilsa without restraint. However, reports indicate that hilsa will no longer be sent to India, despite news of 3,000 tons being exported there for Puja. This has sparked extensive discussion on social media, with a range of opinions emerging. Concerns have been raised about the soaring prices, with export costs driving the price per maund up from 8,000 to 16,000 taka, depending on size. Consequently, hilsa has become increasingly inaccessible to the middle and lower classes.

Moreover, a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing will commence on October 13 to protect the breeding season. As a result, the hilsa market is currently experiencing a surge in prices.
According to media reports from Tuesday (September 24), hilsa production has been increasing at a rate of 2.5 per cent over the past five years. However, the common consumer is still unable to enjoy this favorite fish due to its high price. Many consumers are attributing this issue to unscrupulous practices in the market, claiming that traders are inflating prices by creating artificial crisis. If this trend continues, hilsa will remain out of reach for ordinary people.

Experts point out that once hilsa is caught from rivers or the sea, it passes through multiple intermediaries before reaching consumers. Initially, it moves from fishermen to moneylenders, then to wholesalers, and by the time it arrives at retail markets, the price has skyrocketed, making it unaffordable for many.

Some traders have highlighted that the persistent high prices are due to manipulation and the impact of exports at the wholesale and moneylender levels. Zakir Hossain, a wholesale hilsa seller, stated that a thorough investigation into the pricing structure—from fishermen to moneylenders and then to wholesalers—would expose the syndicate behind these inflated costs.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar emphasized that the priority should be to ensure that the people of the country have access to hilsa before considering exports. She mentioned that the recent price increases are unrelated to export activities. The country's hilsa production exceeds 500,000 metric tons, while the decision to export 3,000 tons is still being assessed. Akhtar clarified that the Ministry of Commerce approved the export, not the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and that the hilsa exports are not linked to the Puja festivities. Businessmen in Kolkata have been in touch with the Ministry of Commerce regarding this issue.

The pressing question is not just why and how hilsa is being exported, but when the existing syndicates controlling its distribution will be eliminated. This issue extends beyond hilsa; various sectors in Bangladesh are still dominated by syndicates, leading to consistently high prices across the board.

It is crucial to break these syndicates and ensure that all products are accessible to the public at fair prices. The fact that a cherished fish like hilsa remains out of reach for ordinary people is unacceptable. We need systemic changes to promote fair trade practices and restore affordability, so everyone can enjoy the delicious taste of hilsa without financial strain. It is unacceptable that ordinary people cannot eat delicious fish like hilsa.