Despite abundance, hilsa still pricey 

Despite the peak monsoon season bringing a steady supply of hilsa to the markets, the national fish remains beyond the reach of ordinary consumers due to soaring prices.

A visit to several markets in the capital found that hilsa of different sizes and weights is readily available, but prices vary widely depending on size, weight and quality, with larger fish selling for as much as Tk 3,100 per kilogram.

As a result, hilsa, traditionally considered a staple and much-loved seasonal fish among Bangladeshis, has increasingly become a luxury item affordable mainly to higher-income consumers.

At Bou Bazar in East Rampura on Tuesday, hilsa was being sold at between Tk 650 and Tk 2,800 per kg depending on size and weight.

Small hilsa weighing 200-300 grams were selling for Tk 650-800 per kg, while fish weighing 350-400 grams were priced at around Tk 1,200 per kg.

Hilsa weighing 500-700 grams was selling for around Tk 1,700 per kg. Larger fish weighing between one kilogram and 1.3 kilograms were being sold for around Tk 2,800 per kg.

Fish traders said prices could be even higher in some markets for particularly large and good-quality hilsa.

The high prices have disappointed many consumers who had hoped to buy hilsa during the peak fishing season.

Giasuddin, a consumer at Bou Bazar, said smaller hilsa were comparatively affordable, but buying a good-sized fish required spending a substantial amount of money.

"I used to buy hilsa during the season. But this year, the prices are too high. I have to return after just looking at the fish. I cannot afford to spend so much on fish for a single meal," he said.

Trader Sobuj said the market currently had a reasonable supply of hilsa, but the arrival of larger fish was comparatively low.

"We have to buy hilsa from the wholesale markets at high prices, so it is difficult to reduce retail prices. Although small hilsa are somewhat cheaper, demand for larger fish is much higher," he said.
He added that prices could come down to some extent if supplies increased further.

The situation is almost similar in other major markets across the capital.

In Karwan Bazar, Merul Badda, Banasree, Rampura, Segunbagicha and Maghbazar, hilsa weighing 700-900 grams was selling for Tk 1,850-2,200 per kg.

Fish weighing around one kilogram was priced at Tk 2,250-2,500 per kg, while larger hilsa weighing between one and 1.5 kilograms was being sold at Tk 2,600-3,100 per kg.

The price gap between small and large hilsa highlights the strong consumer preference for bigger fish. While smaller fish are available at relatively lower prices, the price of larger hilsa rises sharply with every increase in size.

Traders attributed the high retail prices mainly to wholesale purchase costs and relatively limited supplies of large hilsa. They said transportation and other marketing costs also contribute to the final retail price.

The continued high price has also raised concerns among consumers about whether hilsa will become increasingly inaccessible to middle- and lower-income households during the peak season.

Hilsa traditionally holds a special place in Bangladesh's food culture, particularly during the monsoon. Its availability usually increases during the rainy season as fish migrate through rivers and estuaries.
However, the current market situation shows that increased availability alone has not translated into affordable prices for consumers.

For ordinary households already facing pressure from elevated food prices, purchasing a large hilsa now requires a significant share of their daily or weekly food budget. Consequently, many consumers are either opting for smaller fish or avoiding hilsa altogether.

Market observers say a further increase in supply, particularly of medium and large-sized hilsa, could help ease prices. But unless wholesale prices decline, consumers are unlikely to see any significant reduction in retail prices in the near term.

For now, therefore, the national fish may be abundant in the markets, but its increasingly steep price is keeping it firmly out of reach for a large section of consumers.

As a result, although hilsa is available in the markets during the peak season, its high price continues to keep the fish out of reach for a large section of ordinary consumers. Buyers are unlikely to get any relief unless increased supply leads to a decline in prices.