Indian traders apply seeking hilsa for Durga Puja

Indian traders have again applied seeking Padma hilsa on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja. The Fish Importers Association of India has sent a letter to the Bangladesh government seeking permission to send Bangladeshi hilsa.

Sources in the Ministry of Commerce said that following the continuity of every year, this businessmen’s organisation of India has again sent separate letters to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce.

Sources in the Ministry of Commerce informed that the issue of exporting hilsa fish on the occasion of Puja is being viewed positively. However, the quantity of hilsa that will be exported has not been fixed yet.

Meanwhile, 18 institutions of Bangladesh have already applied for exporting hilsa to India. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will send a letter to the Ministry of Commerce today Wednesday (September 9) for scrutiny of those.

Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan informed the media in this regard that the letter of the Indian traders has been received. However, the quantity of hilsa that can be exported will be fixed after discussion with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

The letter of the Indian traders said that since 1996 an average of five thousand tonnes of hilsa was being exported to India every year. But the export stopped for unknown reasons after 2012. Later from September 2019 the Bangladesh government has been giving special permission for hilsa export only for a specific one month during Durga Puja. However, according to local traders, this short-term and limited permission ultimately does not bring any effective benefit.

The letter further said that although permission for hilsa export is given towards the end of September every year, a request has been made this time to give it earlier.

Information shows that in September 2019 Bangladesh approved the export of 500 tonnes of hilsa to India after a long break. After that in 2020 approval was given for the export of 1,850 tonnes of hilsa but it was not exported as per the quantity. In 2021 against the approval of 4,600 tonnes, 1,200 tonnes of hilsa was sent to India. In 2022 permission was given for the export of 2,900 tonnes of hilsa; however, in reality 1,300 tonnes was exported. In 2023 approval was given for the export of 3,950 tonnes of hilsa but 1,300 tonnes went to India.