Kolkata, Sept. 14 -- India has exported around 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh over the past two months, reversing the traditional trade flow of the prized fish between the neighbouring countries, according to fish traders.
Another 150-200 tonnes of hilsa is expected to be exported to Bangladesh over the next few weeks, amid reports of lower hilsa production in the country. Bangladeshi traders have consequently turned to India to meet domestic demand for the popular fish.
The consignments have mainly been sourced from Gujarat and shipped through Bharuch port, while some supplies have been routed through the Howrah wholesale fish market in West Bengal.
"Bangladesh has been importing hilsa from India for the first time. We usually send fish such as boal, rohu, parse and tangra to Bangladesh. This year there is a shortage of hilsa there," said Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Howrah Wholesale Fish Importers' Association.
Gujarat hilsa has relatively limited demand in the Indian market because of its high roe content. However, this characteristic has made it particularly attractive to Bangladeshi buyers, especially in Chattogram and Sylhet, where roe-filled hilsa is highly sought after.
Maqsood said the eggs were also being sold separately for processing and re-export to other countries. Some Bangladeshi traders are processing imported hilsa for overseas markets, while the fish is also being dried and sold as salted hilsa domestically.
Bangladesh is traditionally one of the world's largest hilsa-producing countries, with the fish forming an important part of Bengali culinary and cultural traditions on both sides of the border.
India has received hilsa consignments from Bangladesh in recent years ahead of Durga Puja. Last year, Bangladesh permitted the export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India. There is currently no clarity on Padma river hilsa exports to India this festive season. WITH AGENCY INPUTS
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.