Hilsa price shoots up ahead of 22-day ban
Two days before the beginning of a 22-day government ban on netting, selling, and transporting hilsa, the price of the fish has increased at the wholesale market in the district.
The government has imposed the ban, which will start from tomorrow, to protect mother hilsas. In the past, such ban resulted in increased production.
The decision to impose the ban was made to ensure safe spawning of hilsa during its peak breeding season, said locals and fisheries officials.
On a visit to Badura wholesale fish market yesterday morning, this correspondent found a number of buyers and traders passing busy time. Many traders were seen storing hilsas in ice boxes.
The price of a big size hilsa fish went up to Tk 6,00 from Tk 400 per kilogramme while a small size went up to Tk 300 from Tk 180 per kg, said wholesaler Iqbal Hossain of the market.
Local contractor Emdadul Haque said as the hilsa price increases during the ban period, he came to buy the fish.
However, many returned home without buying the sea hilsa due to its high prices, he said.
Another customer Ziaul Haque said he could not buy a single piece of hilsa due to its high price and returned home with empty hand.
The price was comparatively higher than Sunday, he said, adding that a kilogram of the large hilsa was sold for between Tk 400 and Tk 450 on Sunday, which was Tk 600 yesterday.
Mostly buyers bought 20 to 40 kg of hilsa from the market, said traders.
Yesterday, a good number of fishing boats loaded with hilsa were seen anchoring at Badura fish landing centre. It is one of the biggest fish landing centres and selling markets of sea fish in the southern area of the country.
Every day the market sits just before the sunrise and continues till 9:00am.
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