Bangladesh to Export 1,200 Tonnes of Hilsa to India

File photo of Hilsha fish

The government has approved the conditional export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India ahead of Durga Puja, continuing its annual practice.

Interested exporters must submit hard copies of applications during office hours by 5 pm on 11 September, according to a commerce ministry notification issued on 8 September.

Applications should include an updated trade licence, ERC certificate, income tax certificate, VAT certificate, sales contract, Department of Fisheries licence, and any other relevant documents.

The government has set the minimum export price at $12.5 per kilogram of hilsa. Exporters who applied previously without invitation must submit a new application to be considered.

Hilsa has been recognised as a geographical indication (GI) product of Bangladesh since 2017. Bangladesh has been exporting hilsa to India for five consecutive years, though exports were suspended between 2012 and 2018.

Each year, Indian traders demand roughly 5,000 tonnes of hilsa during Durga Puja. Last year, Bangladesh exported 3,000 tonnes of hilsa to India during the festival.