Low supply and extortion push hilsa prices higher: Adviser

The soaring prices of hilsa fish in the country are driven primarily by limited supply and persistent extortion, said Farida Akhtar, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Speaking at a press briefing at the ministry headquarters on Sunday, Akhtar explained that while the reduced availability of hilsa remains the main factor behind the price hike, extortion by middlemen continues to keep prices elevated. “Though efforts are underway, extortion has not yet been fully curbed,” she added.

Akhtar highlighted that the peak hilsa season is underway, with conservation efforts including the recently observed Jatka Protection Week. Between June 12 and July 20, fishers caught 46,790 metric tonnes of hilsa. Based on projections from the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, the country’s hilsa production is expected to reach between 538,000 and 545,000 metric tonnes in 2024-25. However, she warned that if the declining trend from the previous fiscal year continues, actual production could fall short.

Joint operations involving district administrations, navy, coast guard, and naval police have been conducted to stop the indiscriminate harvesting of jatka — juvenile hilsa — but these efforts have not been fully successful. Akhtar also cited environmental challenges such as reduced river depths, pollution, erratic rainfall, and heat waves as contributing factors to the dwindling supply. Recent heavy rains and storms have further hampered fishing activities, though some fishermen managed to catch fish despite the adverse weather.

The adviser noted that hilsa prices remain beyond the reach of many consumers, with prices in Dhaka exceeding Tk 2,000 per kilogram for smaller hilsa. She expressed hope that prices would ease once supply improves and noted that price control measures are being implemented by the Chief Adviser’s office. Prices are relatively lower in Barishal and Chattogram.

To meet demand from Bangladeshis living abroad, the ministry has initiated pilot exports of hilsa to one or two countries with large Bangladeshi expatriate communities.