Hilsa prices remain high ahead of 22-day ban

Hilsa prices remained high in Chandpur on Wednesday, hours before a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing began at midnight to allow the fish to spawn safely in the freshwater of the Padma-Meghna rivers.

At Chandpur’s major fish market, 1.5kg hilsa was selling for Tk3,200, while 1.2kg fish was Tk3,000, 1kg at Tk2,600, 800-900g at Tk2,200 and 500-700g at Tk1,800 per kg.

Around 400 maunds of hilsa reached the market on the final day, but traders said supplies were lower than demand, pushing up prices. Many buyers returned empty-handed.

Traders said hilsa supplies were also lower than last year on the eve of the fishing ban.

-AJM