PRAN-RFL to launch Bangladesh’s first indoor Hilsa farming project

The PRAN-RFL Group is set to break new ground in Bangladesh’s fisheries sector by launching the country’s first commercial indoor hilsa (ilish) farming project, aiming to boost production and unlock export potential for the national fish.

The technology-driven aquaculture initiative will be implemented in partnership with Denmark-based Assentoft Aqua Limited, with a total planned investment of €30 million, equivalent to around Tk 4.3 billion, company officials said on Thursday.

Alongside hilsa, the project will also produce Asian seabass (barramundi) and other marine species using a fully controlled indoor system. A formal agreement between PRAN-RFL Group and Assentoft Aqua was signed on Thursday.

According to the agreement, the project will be established at the Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram, or at an alternative location mutually agreed upon by both parties. The investment will be rolled out in two to three phases over the next two years.

Hilsa holds strong cultural and economic significance in Bangladesh and commands premium demand in international markets, particularly among Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East, Europe, North America and Australia. However, reliance on natural river systems, seasonal fishing bans and environmental changes have constrained supply, often pushing prices beyond the reach of local consumers.

Data from the Department of Fisheries show that while overall hilsa production has increased in recent years, a shortage of export-grade fish persists. Industry experts believe successful indoor cultivation could mark a major shift for the sector.

PRAN Group Managing Director Ilias Mridha said the company was keen to adopt recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology to meet growing domestic and global demand for premium marine fish. “Assentoft Aqua has already demonstrated large-scale fish production using RAS technology in developed markets. This project will introduce industrial-scale seabass farming in Bangladesh for the first time,” he said.

How the System Works
RAS technology enables fish farming in a fully controlled indoor environment, where water quality, temperature, oxygen levels, salinity and waste management are regulated through advanced filtration and monitoring systems. Water is treated and reused, significantly reducing consumption and disease risks.

The project will include broodstock management, hatchery and nursery facilities, creating a complete production chain. Target harvest weight per fish is set between 1.2 and 1.5 kilograms, with an annual production capacity of around 2,000 metric tonnes once fully operational. A significant portion of output will be exported.

A High-Risk, High-Reward Bet
Hilsa, a migratory species, has long been considered unsuitable for farming. While experimental research is underway in Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, commercial-scale success remains rare.

Dr Amirul Islam, a senior scientist at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), said hilsa farming poses serious biological challenges, particularly in controlling its life cycle and breeding behaviour. “There is no proven commercial success yet,” he noted, adding that success could ease pressure on natural rivers and create new export opportunities.

Danish Expertise, Local Initiatives
Assentoft Aqua is a global leader in RAS technology, with its affiliate Mariscos ApS providing technical support to aquaculture projects in Bangladesh and other countries since 2016. The company specialises in hatchery design, broodstock management and turnkey RAS solutions.

Assentoft Aqua representative Dr. Jens Ole Olesen said the company is prepared to support the Bangladesh project with Danish government-backed financing, expressing confidence in the partnership with PRAN-RFL.

PRAN-RFL Group, one of Bangladesh’s largest agro and food-processing conglomerates, said the project aligns with its strategy to expand into high-value seafood production and exports, marking a significant diversification of its agri-business portfolio.