Despite the start of the hilsa season, production has decreased due to adverse weather conditions, floods, and the absence of a full moon. The supply has halved in various markets, including the capital, driving prices beyond the reach of ordinary consumers.
In Dhaka’s markets, hilsa is currently selling for Tk 1,800-2,100 per kg, a 15-20 per cent increase compared to the same time last year. However, traders and scientists are hopeful that hilsa production will rise in September, which could help bring down prices.
A visit to various markets in the capital revealed a significant shortage of all sizes of hilsa. The supply of larger hilsa, in particular, is notably low.
Large-sized hilsa (weighing over 1,200 grams) is being sold at Tk 2,000-2,100 per kg, medium-sized hilsa (1,000-1,200 grams) at Tk 1,800-1,900 per kg, and smaller hilsa (500-700 grams) at Tk 700-800 per kg.
Md Wali Ullah, a fish seller at the Khilgaon market in Dhaka, said, "Although the season has started, the supply of hilsa has been very low. This year, we are seeing less than half the amount of fish compared to the same time last year. The number of buyers far exceeds the available fish in the wholesale markets, making it difficult to supply hilsa according to demand. I even stopped selling hilsa for a week due to the abnormal price."
“Besides, many rivers have been left unfishable due to the devastating floods the country has witnessed in recent memory, coupled with adverse weather conditions. Fishermen are too busy saving their families from rising floodwaters. All these challenges have led to the reduced availability of hilsa,” he added.
At the super-shop Agora in the capital’s Segunbagicha area on Wednesday, hilsa weighing over 1,200 grams was selling for Tk 2,050 per kg, while those weighing slightly over 1,000 grams were priced at Tk 1,850 per kg. Hilsa weighing more than 700 grams was being sold for Tk 1,250 per kg.
Md Amirul Islam, principal scientific officer at the Chandpur centre of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), told The Business Post that the primary reason for the decline in hilsa production is the rough sea conditions. "The sea remains turbulent, with warning signal number 3 issued for over a week, preventing fishing boats from venturing out," he explained.
He further noted that the absence of a full moon, which plays a significant role in hilsa spawning, has also contributed to the decline. "Typically, hilsa production peaks in August and September, leading to lower prices. However, this year has been an exception. We expect production to rebound in September," Amirul Islam said, expressing optimism that the situation will improve.
Hilsa, a migratory fish species, travels upstream from the Bay of Bengal to rivers and estuaries in Bangladesh to spawn, with this migration peaking during the monsoon. The full moon enhances tidal currents, aiding the fish in navigating upstream. This period is crucial for both hilsa reproduction and fishing, as the increased spawning activity makes the fish more abundant and easier to catch, marking it as a prime season for hilsa fishing.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), hilsa is currently being sold at prices 15 per cent higher than in August last year. On Wednesday, retail prices ranged from Tk 600 to Tk 1,700 per kg, compared to Tk 500 to Tk 1,500 per kg at the same time last year.
At the end of August 2022, hilsa was priced between Tk 700 and Tk 1,400 per kg. Market analysis shows that hilsa prices in September last year slightly decreased compared to August, with the fish being sold at Tk 1,300 per kg.
