India's Fish Importers Association has requested that Bangladesh allow the export of hilsa fish during the upcoming Durga Puja festival. This request comes amid uncertainty over this year’s shipments due to recent unrest and a change in government in Bangladesh.
In a letter dated September 9, Syed Anwar Maqsood, the association’s secretary, appealed to Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain. Maqsood noted that while Bangladesh has imposed a ban on hilsa exports since 2012, it has permitted limited exports from early September through Durga Puja as a gesture of goodwill over the past five years.
Maqsood hopes this tradition will continue this year. Hilsa, particularly from the Padma River, is highly sought after in West Bengal, Delhi, Tripura, and Assam. Last year, Bangladesh exported 1,300 metric tonnes of hilsa to various states in India.
Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, indicated on August 11 that the government will consider hilsa exports once domestic demand is met.
