Kuakata Shutki trade takes a plunge

The shutki (dried fish) industry of Patuakhali’s Kuakata is gradually dying out due to various problems including the lack of a permanent location for processing and marketing the fish.

According to the district Fisheries Department, over 100 shutki palli (village) are scattered on various beaches of Alipur, Mahipur, Kuakata, Lebur Char, Gangamati Char, Gorakhal and Rangabali.

About 3,000 people in the area are involved in the industry. However, shutki production only goes on for four to five months of the year. Various fish including Laitta, Faisa, Churi, Poma, Rupchanda, Hilsa and shrimp shutki are made in the area.

Over 50 species of marine fish are processed into shutki in Alipur, Mahipur and Kuakata of the district’s Kalapara upazila. Due to good demand in the domestic market, shutki worth Tk several crores are produced yearly in the area.

However, due to the lack of a permanent place for production, high prices and low supply of fish and also the lack of training in modern processing methods, the shukti villages of Kuakata are struggling to stay afloat.

There are two shutki pallis about two kilometres west of the main beach of Kuakata. During an on spot visit to one of the villages, this correspondent found 12 to 15 shutki trader families living in small huts.

Everyone was busy with various steps of production including washing, cleaning, chopping and salting the fish. The salted fish is then hung on lofts to let dry under the sun. Even the children were busy helping their families with the production.

The shutki produced here are exported to different parts of the country. However, the majority of it is bought by tourists visiting Kuakata Beach.

According to the traders, over 200 kg of shutki worth Tk 3 lakh is sold to tourists per day during peak tourism season.

The shutki here are marketed naturally without the use of any preservatives. It has a distinct flavour due to natural processing which is in high demand all over the country.

The traders also said that there are more than 30 small and big shutki villages in Kuakata where over 15,000 to 20,000 male and female workers work.

Shutki trader A Haque Miah said, “I have been involved in this trade for over 14 years. The trade mainly goes on from October to March. We do not have a permanent market or processing area.”

He further added that recently fewer fish are being caught by the fishermen due to this the prices are high. Some of his neighbours have given up on the trade after facing losses and more may follow.

The trader hopes the government will arrange a permanent place and loans on easy terms to the shutki makers of the area.

Another businessman Shahjalal Miah said, “Last year I bought fish worth Tk 1.70 crore and made a profit of Tk 20 lakh. However, this year I have bought about Tk 2 crore worth of fish and expect a profit of only Tk 2 lakh.”

Trader Md Hasan said the major challenge that the industry is currently facing is the lack of a processing and trade centre alongside the rising prices of fish.

The manager of Alipur-Mahipur Fish Landing Centre in Kalapara, Md Ashikur Rahman said, the local traders export dried fish all over the country.

“However, the traders lack a proper place to conduct their business. The traders have proposed building a modernised shutki village similar to the one in Cox’s Bazar,” he said adding that, the proposal has already been sent to the higher authorities.

He added that if the trade is expanded, over 5,000 employment will be created in this area and in turn play a significant role in the country’s economy.

Kuakata Municipal Mayor Anwar Howladar said he has spoken with the district commissioner about establishing a permanent trade centre for the shutki makers in Khalgora area.

Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Jahangir Hossain said the shukti trade has become a popular business in the area centring the tourism industry.

“We have come to know that it is also exported abroad, which is a profitable venture for the local businessmen. We will work together with the Fisheries Department to provide training and monetary assistance as per need,” he added.

Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Md Shariful Islam said Kuakata has a good reputation throughout the country not only for its beauty but also for the shutki produced in the area.

“In order to modernise this industry, the traders must come forward first. The district administration will patronise the industry if necessary. The Fisheries Department provides training for the production of high-quality dried fish,” he said.

The traders however expressed their dissatisfaction at the lack of a proper place for production. They expect that having a permanent location for shukti processing will boost production and expand the industry.