Barguna, Sep 14 (V7N) – At Patukhali, Barguna’s major fish landing hub, hundreds of trawlers are arriving daily, bringing large quantities of hilsa for sale. Both wholesale and retail traders are purchasing significant amounts of hilsa from the landing center.
 
The price of hilsa is escalating with each transfer. After passing through several hands, the cost per kilogram increases by Tk 300 to Tk 500. Despite a halt in exports, the retail price for consumers has risen to Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,000 per kilogram due to these multiple transfers.
 
A local trader explained that the involvement of middlemen is keeping hilsa prices high. Hilsa that costs Tk 1,500 per kilogram at the source is sold to wholesalers for Tk 1,575, who then resell it to traders in other districts for an additional Tk 75. As hilsa changes hands 4 to 5 times, it ends up costing consumers Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,200 per kilogram in the markets.
 
Consumer Rahim expressed frustration, saying, “In a country where hilsa is a national treasure, such high prices are unjustifiable. For middle and lower-income families, paying Tk 2,000 per kilogram makes buying hilsa a distant dream.”
 
Sellers note that the high costs are due to the expenses incurred from buying hilsa at the landing centers, along with additional costs for ice, packaging, and transportation to other districts.
 
Trawler owners highlighted that operational costs have surged from Tk Tk 180,000 to 200,000 to over Tk 300,000 due to rising prices of essential goods and services. Consequently, even though hilsa is sold at higher prices, many trawler owners are experiencing financial losses.
 
Golam Mustafa Chowdhury, President of the District Fishermen Trawler Owners Association, pointed out that the current hilsa catch is significantly below demand. The increase in prices for oil and fishing equipment further exacerbates the issue.
 
According to the BFDC (Barguna Fish Distribution Center), 453.68 tons of hilsa were sold from July 24 to September 13, down from 493.15 tons during the same period last year—a reduction of 39.47 tons. Additionally, 173.33 tons of other fish were sold this year compared to 258.62 tons last year.
 
On September 14, hilsa prices at the landing center ranged from Tk 65,000 to Tk 66,000 per kilogram for large sizes, Tk 54,000 to Tk 55,000 for medium sizes, and Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000 per mound for jatka (young hilsa).
 
Biplob Kumar Sarker, Assistant Marketing Officer at Patukhali BFDC, noted that high demand for hilsa, particularly for festive celebrations, persists nationwide. However, illegal fishing practices and various syndicates contribute to elevated retail prices, making a reduction in hilsa prices unlikely despite the export suspension.
 
END/MRR/SMA/