Prospects of Bhola’s dried fish production high

Shutki (dried fish) production is increasing gradually in the coastal district of Bhola due to recent high market demand.

While even a few years ago there was not much demand for dried fish in the district, nowadays shutki produced in Bhola is being sold in different districts including Dhaka, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Cumilla, Chandpur, Brahmanbaria, Bogura, and Mymensingh.

Although shutki is sold throughout the year, production increases during winter as late autumn is the prime fishing season. Dried fish makers are able to buy fish at a cheaper rate and sell the processed shutki for a reasonable price.

The optimum shutki production season begins in November and lasts until March.

According to shutki traders, the wholesale price of Churi (ribbon fish) shutki is Tk 280-300 per kg, shrimp Tk 180-300 per kg, Cheua (eelgoby) Tk 100-250 per kg, Loitta (Bombay duck) Tk 400-500, Mola (carplet) Tk 480-500 per kg, Anufa Tk 350-400 per kg, Poa (jewfish) Tk 300-350 per kg, Kachki (Corica soborna) Tk 400-500 per kg.

Shutki trade goes on from early morning until late at night in Kalinath Rayer Bazar and the New Market of the city.

Dried fish has recently become a popular food item for people of all classes. The use of dried fish in different dishes has increased significantly. The traders said shutki made of local fish species are the most in demand.

Many fishermen have taken up shutki making as an alternative profession. This has become a stable source of income for the fishermen bringing them economic prosperity.

Lokman Hossain, a shutki trader of Kalinath Rayer Bazar, said shutki sells like hotcakes during winter. “We sell both locally produced dried fish and those imported from other districts. I sell thousands of Tk worth of shutki every day.”

Another trader Rafiq Mia said that the demand for shutki has increased significantly in recent years. They are making a good profit because the prices are high.

Noor Islam, a dried fish seller at the city’s New Market, said that Anufa, Badar Churi, Poa, Loitta, shrimp, Lal Cheua, Kachki, and Malamda shutki are available at his shop. The demand for shutki increases during winter, he said.

Shutki is mostly produced in Purbo Dalchar of Dalchar union, Char Patila and Char Manura of Kukrimukri union, Char Kocchopia of Charmanika union, Char Fakira of Hazarigonj union, and Ashar Char of Dularhat Thana of Charfesson upazila in the district.

Dried fish production has recently also become popular in Aslampur and Charmadraj unions of the upazila.

Apart from this, shutki production has also been going on in two unions of Monpura upazila of the district for the last decade.

The traders of the district also import shutki from Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali due to their popularity.

Shutki makers of the district said after catching the fish, it is necessary to dry it well for two-three days under the sun and store it in the loft for a few days. It is sold after a good quality shutki is produced.

Charfesson upazila Fisheries Officer Maruf Hossain Minar said shutki made of Cheua fish is the most common in the district. “Besides, Rupchanda (pomfret), Loitta, Anufa, Kachki fish shutki are also popular. Char Patila, Char Manura and Purbo Dalchar are quite famous for dried fish production.”

Wholesale shutki seller of Dularhat fish market, Md Abbas Mia said thousands of families in the area are involved in dried fish production.

“Dularhat is the largest shutki market in the region and several crore Tk worths of daily sales are made here. We export locally produced shutki to different districts of the country,” he said adding that 50-60 tonnes of shutki is sold from the market daily.

District Fisheries Officer Molla Emdadullah said commercial production of dried fish is becoming more popular in Bhola gradually. The demands are high as it is processed with only salt water, free of any preservatives.

“About 9,000 people are involved in this sector and along with the fishermen, they are financially benefiting from shutki production. Dried fish is mostly processed in Charfesson and Monpura upazila of the district,” he said.