India exports about 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh for the first time

India has exported around 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh over the past two months, marking the first reversal of the traditional trade flow of the sought-after fish between the two countries, according to fish traders.

Another 150-200 tonnes of hilsa is expected to be exported to Bangladesh in the coming weeks, they said.

The exports came amid reports of lower hilsa production in Bangladesh this year, prompting local fish traders to turn to India to meet domestic demand.

Traders said the consignments have been sourced mainly from Gujarat and shipped through Bharuch port, while some supplies have been routed through the Howrah wholesale fish market in West Bengal.

“Bangladesh has been importing hilsa from India for the first time. We usually send fish such as boal, rui, parse and tangra to Bangladesh. This year there is a shortage of hilsa,” said Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Howrah Wholesale Fish Importers’ Association.

“In the last two months, some 500 tonnes have been exported, and another 150-200 tonnes are slated in the coming weeks,” he said.

Hilsa from Gujarat has relatively limited demand in the Indian market because of its high roe content. However, this makes it particularly attractive to Bangladeshi buyers, especially in Chattogram and Sylhet, where roe-filled hilsa is in high demand, Maqsood said.

“Gujarat hilsa contains a lot of roe, which is highly sought after in Bangladesh. The eggs are also being sold separately for processing and re-exported to other countries,” he added.

Bangladeshi traders are also processing some of the imported hilsa for export to overseas markets, while some fish is being dried and sold as salted hilsa in the domestic market, he said.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether Bangladesh will export hilsa to India during the upcoming festive season.

Last year, the Bangladesh government permitted the export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India ahead of the festive season.