Bangladesh Bans Padma Hilsa Ahead Of Durga Puja; Learn More

Following the political turmoil in Bangladesh, the country’s interim government has imposed a ban on hilsa exports and has chosen to halt exports, focusing instead on meeting domestic demand for the fish, particularly for lower-income households. Despite the ban, Bangladesi Padma hilsa will make its way to India but at higher costs which will make a big dent in the pocket for Indian buyers, especially during Durga Puja. 

Last year, Bangladesh sent a 4,000-tonne consignment of Padma hilsa, ahead of Durga Puja last year. Bangladesh’s former government, led by ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, allowed the export of hilsa fish to India during the August-October period as a gesture of goodwill gesture.

Despite the ban, the Bangladeshi Padma ilish is expected to make its way into India, albeit at higher costs. While the price of hilsa had come down to Tk 1,600 for 1 kg, it has gone up again to Tk 1,800-1,900, a report stated. Under the previous Hasina-led government, hilsa fish exports to India were permitted from August to October as a goodwill gesture. However, the new interim government has chosen to halt exports, focusing instead on meeting domestic demand for fish, particularly for lower-income households. 

Farida Akhter, an adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in the neighbouring nation, said during a meeting with the Fisheries and Livestock Journalists Forum earlier this week that no hilsa would be exported to India this year.

Akhter reportedly emphasised that the export ban was aimed at controlling domestic prices and ensuring hilsa remained accessible to lower-income households in Bangladesh. “We cannot allow ilish to be exported while our own people cannot buy them. This year, I have instructed the Ministry of Commerce to prevent any ilish exports to India during Durga Puja,” Akhter said.

Bangladesh produces around 70% of the world's ilish and it is also the national fish of Bangladesh. Since 2012, Bangladesh had imposed a ban on ilish exports due to disputes over the Teesta River water-sharing agreement, but Sheikh Hasina facilitated the export, as the ban resulted in a significant rise in prices in Indian markets. However, the ban was lifted in 2022, according to The Telegraph.