Hilsa prices soar further beyond common man's reach

Hilsa is abundant at Mohipur fish port in Kalapara after the end of the hisla ban.

By Nasir Uddin. Munshiganj, Nov 23 - Hilsa, the pride of Bangladesh’s rivers and the heart of its culinary culture, has once again slipped beyond the reach of ordinary consumers as prices surged dramatically at the century-old Mir Kadim wholesale fish market in Munshiganj.

Within just 48 hours, hilsa prices have jumped by up to Tk 700 per kilogram, leaving both buyers and traders frustrated — each side pointing fingers over the sudden spike.

During a visit to the bustling Mir Kadim market on Friday, the scene was as lively as ever. Buyers and sellers packed into narrow lanes, where freshly caught silver hilsa shimmered under bright lights. Yet, for many who travelled long distances hoping to savour the seasonal delicacy, the excitement quickly turned to disappointment.

A one-kilogram hilsa is now priced at Tk 2,600–2,700, while the larger 1.5-kg fish are selling for Tk 3,200 per kg — a price bracket that has become a luxury for most households. Even the smallest hilsa, weighing just 150–200 grams, now cost Tk 650–700 per kg.

Consumers allege that syndicates are manipulating prices, while traders argue that the root of the crisis runs deeper.

Sand Extraction and Illegal Nets Blamed

Al Helal Royel, president of the Mir Kadim Fish Traders’ Association, said rampant and unplanned sand extraction is destroying natural breeding grounds, while the widespread use of illegal current nets is depleting fish stocks at an alarming rate.

“Fish stocks have fallen. Demand is high but supply is low — that’s why prices are increasing,” he explained.

According to the district fisheries office, Munshiganj produced 31,348 metric tonnes of fish in the past year. However, fish availability typically dips during winter, amplifying the strain on supply and pushing prices upward.

Other Fish Prices Also on the Rise

It isn’t just hilsa causing concern. Almost all fish varieties at Mir Kadim have seen significant price hikes.

A survey of the market revealed the following rates:

· River Pangas: Tk 800–1,000 per kg

· Farmed Pangas: Tk 150–200

· Rui: Tk 350–450

· Katla (farmed): Tk 400–500

· Katla (river): Tk 600–700

· Local boal: Tk 800–1,000

· Farmed boal: Tk 500–550

· Golda shrimp: Tk 700–1,000

· Bagda shrimp: Tk 600–700

· Aiyr: Tk 1,000–1,200

· Farmed koi: Tk 200–220

· Local koi: Tk 800–1,000

· Local sing: Tk 800–1,000

· Farmed sing: Tk 300–400

· Chitol: Tk 500–600

· Koral: Tk 600–700

Traders say the overall supply of both river and farmed fish is far from stable, contributing to the sharp rise in prices.

A Market with a Century of Legacy

Mir Kadim, one of the country’s oldest and busiest fish markets, operates through 43 wholesale sheds. Each morning, within just two to three hours, the market handles fish sales worth around Tk 1 crore. On weekends and holidays, the volume multiplies several times as buyers flock in from neighbouring districts.

But for now, the soaring prices, particularly of hilsa, have dampened spirits. What was once a common delight is increasingly becoming an occasional indulgence for many Bangladeshi families. - UNB