Hilsa prices have increased sharply ahead of Pahela Baishakh

Hilsa prices soar ahead of Pakela Baishakh.

Patuakhali: In the lead-up to Pahela Baishakh, the prices of hilsa have increased several times in Patuakhali's Kalapara, Kuakata and Alipur-Mohipur fisheries ports. Although small and medium-sized hilsa are found in limited quantities in the wholesale markets of Alipur and Mohipur, the country's largest fish landing centers, large-sized hilsa has now become scarce.

It is known that in the Mohipur-Alipur fisheries market, hilsa from 900 to 1100 grams is being sold at a price of 1 lakh 10 thousand to 1 lakh 20 thousand taka. Hilsa from 700 to 800 grams is being sold at 80 thousand to 90 thousand taka, hilsa from 400 to 600 grams is being sold at 60 thousand to 70 thousand taka and small-sized jatka hilsa is being sold at a price of 30 thousand to 35 thousand taka. The wholesale market has affected the retail markets. Hilsa is being sold at sky-high prices in all markets of the district, including the city fish market. Ordinary buyers have expressed their anger over this. They have requested market monitoring to keep the hilsa market at a tolerable level.

Meanwhile, the owners of fish shops have informed that there has been a 58-day blockade since April 15 due to the inability to do adequate fishing due to the oil crisis, the shortage of hilsa in the market compared to the demand, and the price of hilsa has now sky-high centered on Pahela Baishakh.

Md. Shah Alam Howlader, a seller at Mahipur Bhai Bhai shop, said that not much hilsa is falling in the sea, and among them is the problem of oil all over the country. Many fishermen are unable to go to the sea due to the oil problem. We are now facing a drought. On the one hand, we cannot get fish in the sea, on the other hand, we cannot go to the sea due to the oil problem. Then again, the ban on fishing in the sea from April 15.

Hilsa buyer Abul Hossain said, I was surprised when I went to buy hilsa fish in Mahipur today, the price of hilsa is higher than the price of gold. It feels like fire is burning on hilsa. When I mentioned a price, the seller told me that I can buy a piece of hilsa at that price.

Didar Uddin Ahmed Masum, former president of Mahipur Matsya Arat Samabaya Samity, said, fish is not available in the sea as per demand, and there is also an oil shortage. There is not enough hilsa in the market as per the demand of Baishakh. Therefore, the price of hilsa is high due to the lack of fish in the fish market.

Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Apu Saha said, Pohela Baishakh is a tradition of the Bengalis. Every year, there is a demand for hilsa across the country, centered on Baishakh. There is not enough hilsa in the market as per that demand, so the price is a little high. Besides, not many hilsa are caught in the nets of the boys in the sea, and on the other hand, fishermen are not able to go to the sea as much due to the oil shortage. - UNB