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Trading of hilsa has picked up at Chandpur’s major fish markets ahead of a 22-day fishing ban in the Padma and Meghna rivers from October 8.
The supply of hilsa has increased in recent days, pushing prices down by around Tk200–300 per kilogram. As a result, buyers from different parts of the country have been visiting the markets to purchase hilsa before the ban begins.
The Big Station fish landing centre, Amirabad fish market and Babur Bazar fish market remained busy throughout Friday, with fishermen, traders and buyers engaged in brisk trading.
Traders said the supply of hilsa had increased over the past few days, resulting in lower prices.
A one-kilogram hilsa was selling for Tk2,300–2,400, while fish weighing 500–600 grams were priced at Tk1,800–2,000 per kilogram.
Hilsa trader Phulchan Barman said prices had fallen further over the past two days, although they fluctuated on Friday as the number of buyers increased.
Another trader, Jewel Mir, said many people were coming to the market early to buy hilsa ahead of the ban. He expected supplies and sales to increase further in the final days before the restriction.
Mobarok Hossain, who travelled from Dhaka to buy hilsa, said he preferred Chandpur’s fish because of its freshness and distinctive taste. He noted that a one-kilogram hilsa had previously cost around Tk3,000.
The 22-day ban will cover hilsa fishing as well as the transport, storage, marketing and buying and selling of hilsa in Chandpur’s Padma-Meghna river areas from October 8 to 29.
