India wants to import 5 thousand tons of hilsa fish from Bangladesh on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja. The Indian news media reported this information by citing sources. However, the Bangladesh government plans to export more hilsa than last year, sources said.
In 2022, the exporters were able to send 1,300 tons, even though they were allowed to send 2,900 tons of hilsa. Quoting the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh, the report said, the government will keep a strict watch on the companies which will be allowed to export, whether they are working accordingly or not.
Meanwhile, the Kolkata Fish Importers Association wants to import 5 thousand tonnes of Hilsa from Bangladesh for the upcoming Durga Puja 2023. The organization has already sent a letter to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.
According to the letter, last year on the occasion of Puja, 2 thousand 900 metric tons of hilsa were approved for export, but only 1 thousand 300 metric tons of hilsa were exported. This year they want to import 5 thousand metric tons of hilsa from Bangladesh.
The letter also said that Dhaka’s hilsa is not only a delicious exportable fish, but the people of Calcutta consider it a very valuable gift sent by Dhaka. At the same time, Calcutta wants large-size hilsa with high quality.
Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce sources said that like other years on the occasion of Durga Puja, the Ministry of Commerce is going to allow the export of hilsa to India. Already about 100 companies have applied for permission to export hilsa.
The export wing of the Ministry of Commerce has said that on the occasion of Durga Puja, the export of hilsa to India will be allowed again this time. However, the approval amount has not been finalized.
It should be noted that since 2012, Dhaka has been sending hilsa to Kolkata every year during the Durga Puja season.
