Hilsa mkt heats up ahead of Pahela Baishakh

With Pahela Baishakh-the heartbeat of Bengali culture-just around the corner, the hilsa market in the capital is already sizzling. The iconic "silver fish," inseparable from New Year celebrations, is fast slipping beyond the reach of ordinary buyers as prices surge well ahead of the festival. 

A visit to Malibagh, Rampura, Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali and Shyambazar shows a market under pressure-tight supply, rising demand, and a steady climb in prices. Traders say the government's week-long ban on catching jatka (juvenile hilsa) from April 7 to 13, as part of conservation efforts, has further squeezed supply at a crucial time.

Prices now vary sharply by size. Smaller hilsa (300-500g) are selling between Tk 1,400 and Tk 1,600, up from around Tk 1,200 just a week ago. Fish weighing 500-600g are going for Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,200. medium (800-900g) hilsa are priced at Tk 2,400-Tk 2,500, while one-kilogram fish now sells at Tk 2,600-Tk 2,800. Larger fish, especially those crossing 1.2kg, are touching Tk 3,000 to Tk 3,200 per kg-marking a jump of Tk 250-Tk 400 within a week.

Despite the festive buzz, sales remain subdued for now. Traders expect the real rush in the final two to three days before Baishakh. But there is unease: high prices may dampen demand.

"In this uneven battle between demand and supply, hilsa on Pahela Baishakh is turning into a luxury-almost a hobby," said one buyer.

Farzana, a customer recalling her childhood tradition, said, "No matter what, I must have hilsa on Baishakh-that's the essence of the day." Yet many admit they may scale down this year, with some even planning to preserve fish for later rather than consume it fresh during the festival.

Traders point to a sharp fall in supply this season. Fish trader Shukur Ali of Karwan Bazar said fishermen are returning with thinner nets. "If supply were higher, prices would be lower. Every year demand rises before Baishakh, but fish supply is low and the price is high," he said.