Barisal hilsa export earnings rise

Unb, Barisal

Earnings from export of delicious hilsa fish have increased here three times, as the government has fixed its export price.

Abdul Hye, manager of Barisal fish landing centre of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation said the earnings from hilsa export in August and September 2009 increased three times than that in the

corresponding period of the previous year.

He said export earnings have increased, as the government on April 12, 2008 fixed the minimum price of hilsa weighing between 600 grams

and one kg at US$ 6 per kg, that between 1 kg to 1.5 kg at US$8 and that weighing over 1.5 kg at US$ 12.

Belayet Hossain, assistant marketing officer of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Barisal, said in the last two months 190.64 tonnes of hilsa fishes were exported from this centre which earned Tk 8.68 crore.

Hilsa season has just started and hilsa export earnings from this centre will exceed Tk 100 core, he hoped.

Indian importers stopped import on February 19, 2009, protesting the fixation of hilsa price by the Bangladesh government and demanding reduction in the price of the delicious fish.

But later Indian importers resumed hilsa import at the Bangladesh government fixed rate on June 29 to meet their local demand.

Zahiruddin Shikdar, a local hilsa trader, said due to pressure from the local consumers the Indian importers were compelled to resume hilsa import from Bangladesh at the government fixed rate.

After visiting local market it was found that standard size of hilsa weighing 600-1000 grams are being sold at local wholesale market at Tk 350-500.

Hilsa over 1000-1500 grams are being sold at Tk 500-750, while1500-2000 grams or over at Tk 750-1500 in the local market.

Ajit Das Monu, president of Bangladesh Non-frozen Fish Exporters Association, said plenty of hilsa are being netted but the fishermen and traders are facing storage and packaging problems due to acute shortage of ice and irregular electricity supply.