18 firms seek to export hilsa to India ahead of Durga Puja

Eighteen Bangladeshi companies have applied for permission to export hilsa to India ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja, as Indian fish importers have also urged Bangladesh to allow shipments of the prized fish.

Following the exporters’ applications, the commerce ministry today (9 September) wrote to the fisheries and livestock ministry seeking its assessment of domestic hilsa availability and demand before deciding whether exports can be allowed.

Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan confirmed that the ministry had received applications from Bangladeshi exporters following a request from Indian fish traders.

“We have received applications from Bangladeshi exporters following the letter from Indian traders. The quantity that can be exported will be decided after discussions with the fisheries ministry,” he said.

Last year, the government approved 1,200 tonnes for export, but only 150 tonnes were actually shipped to India.

Exporters seek longer window

The Bangladeshi exporters have also requested a longer export window instead of the short periods granted in previous years.

They want permission for at least two months, or preferably throughout the year, arguing that a window of only 20-25 days makes it difficult to complete letters of credit, collect hilsa and finish processing and packaging.

Among the companies seeking permission this year are Bishwas Enterprise of Khulna; JS Enterprise and Anraj Fish Products of Chattogram; Lucky Enterprise, MUC Foods, Mohatab & Sons and Janata Fish of Jashore; Vigilant Express, Swarnali Enterprise, Majestic Enterprise and BDS Corporation of Dhaka; Mahima Enterprise, AR Enterprise and Tanisha Enterprise of Barishal; Rafid Enterprise of Bhola; and Ma Enterprise and Suman Traders of Satkhira.

Indian importers seek hilsa

The Fish Importers Association of India has also sought hilsa from Bangladesh ahead of Durga Puja.

The Indian business body sent separate letters to the Prime Minister’s Office, foreign ministry and commerce ministry in the first week of September, requesting permission to import hilsa from Bangladesh.

Utpal Nath, director of the Fish Importers Association, has also sought a meeting with the Bangladesh commerce minister by email to discuss the issue. However, no meeting date has been fixed yet as the minister is currently abroad, officials at the ministry’s Export Wing said.

In its letter, the Indian association said Bangladesh had exported an average of around 5,000 tonnes of hilsa to India annually since 1996. Exports stopped in 2012 but resumed in September 2019 with special permission for a limited period during Durga Puja.

The association has requested that permission be granted earlier this year, preferably by the middle of September, according to the letter.

Most approved quota remains unshipped

Commerce Ministry data show that Bangladesh has repeatedly approved hilsa exports to India in recent years, but actual shipments have remained significantly below the permitted quantities.

In 2019, Bangladesh approved 500 tonnes of hilsa exports to India after a long gap. In 2020, approval was given for 1,850 tonnes, although the full quantity was not exported.

In 2021, exporters were allowed to ship 4,600 tonnes but exported 1,200 tonnes. The approved quantity was 2,900 tonnes in 2022, against actual exports of 1,300 tonnes.

In 2023, Bangladesh approved 3,950 tonnes, but only 1,300 tonnes were exported. In 2025, against approval for 2,420 tonnes, exporters shipped just 577 tonnes.