BARISHAL, Sept 2: Despite being peak season for Hilsa, the local markets in Barishal are experiencing a scarcity of Hilsa fish, resulting in both small and large Hilsa are being sold at high prices.
The consumers of the district, who are hopeful that the Interim Government's decision to stop Hilsa exports to India would lower prices, flocked to the markets, only to be disappointed by the steep prices. They alleged that a syndicate is manipulating the prices and calling on authorities to take swift action to control the price.
Small and big Hilsas are selling at exorbitant prices at different haats and bazars including Port Road in the district.
The government decision about stopping exporting of Hilsas to India did not make any impact on the local prices of Hilsa.
A customer at the Port Road fish landing station Abdul Khaleq Hawladar said, "This is the full season of Hilsa. Our government said, fishes will not go to foreign country. But we are purchasing one kilogram (KG) Hilsa at Tk 1,650. In this situation, per KG Hilsa should be sold at Tk 500. It is our demand of selling Hilsa at more cheaper price."
Another Rashid Hawladar said, "We see misleading market scenes of fishes on Facebook or Internet. But market prices are double than that of online prices."
Fresh Hilsas are selling at higher prices in Barishal including Port Road due to syndicate.
Low-income customers can't afford Hilsas. They demanded of the present government for bringing down the Hilsa price so that they can consume Hilsa at affordable price.
At present, per kg Hilsa of 600-900 gram weight is selling at Tk 1,500-1,525; one KG weight Hilsa at Tk 1,650, 1,200 gram weight Hilsa at Tk 1,800, and 500 gram weight one at Tk 1,300.
A fish trader Abul Kalam Azad said, the Hilsa arrival is poor but the price is high.
"We heard about thin availability of Hilsas in river, and it has bad impact on the market price. Yet because of the higher prices, our sales are decreasing. Most of the customers are going back hearing the asking prices," he added.
Wholesalers and retailers said, Hilsas are not adequate in rivers and sea; compared to other years, the supply of Hilsas has been half; so, prices did not decrease.
Md Eayer Uddin Shikdar, treasurer of Barishal District Wholesale Fish Landing Owner Centre, said, Hilsa netting was thin in rivers for the last several days while the arrival of Hilsas was also poor; so, the Hilsa market price is a bit high; due to depression in the sea, fishers were workless; now they went to the sea; and after their return from the sea, Hilsa prices will come down significantly at bazars.
A warehouse owner and ice trader in Barishal Amir Hossain said, most of the fishers get fishes; but returning from Kuakata to Barishal, their fuel costs make a big increase; but many fishers have stopped to come here as they don't get comparatively good prices.
That is why the fish price is higher while ice trading is also poor, he added.
District Fisheries Officer Ripon Kanti Ghos said, "Prices will come down after arrival of sea Hilsas. Our campaign to contain Hilsa price is continuing."
If charging higher price of Hilsa is received, stern action will be taken, the official added.
