Play store
Despite a noticeable increase in supply during the monsoon season, hilsa prices remain too high for many middle-class families, forcing a large number of consumers to leave markets empty-handed or settle for smaller fish.
A visit to several markets in Mohammadpur, including Town Hall, Chandrima, Dhaka Udyan, Kaderabad Housing and Geneva Camp, on Saturday found bustling fish stalls with plenty of hilsa on display.
However, traders said strong supply has yet to translate into affordable prices, leaving many buyers frustrated.
Market observations showed that 450-600 gram hilsa were selling for Tk1,000-1,400 per kg, while fish weighing 700-900 grams were priced between Tk1,600 and Tk2,000 per kg.
Larger hilsa weighing 1 kg or more were selling for Tk2,000-2,800 per kg, depending on size, freshness and quality.
Many shoppers said they had planned to buy hilsa but changed their minds after seeing the prices.
Some opted for smaller fish, while others said buying a large hilsa would consume several days’ worth of their household food budget.
Traders said the market is still dominated by hilsa preserved in cold storage, with fresh catches yet to arrive in significant quantities.
They noted that premium fresh hilsa command even higher prices, while smaller retailers mainly cater to lower-income customers by selling comparatively cheaper fish.
Vendors expressed hope that prices could ease if the supply of freshly caught hilsa increases in the coming weeks.
Until then, they said, the country’s iconic fish is likely to remain beyond the purchasing power of many middle-income consumers, despite the peak fishing season.
