Advisor Farida cites ‘courtesy, request’ for exporting hilsa to India

The advisor highlights export reduced to half compared with last year’s figures

Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhter has said Bangladesh approved the export of hilsa to India this year “out of courtesy and upon request” ahead of the Hindu festival of Durga Puja.

This year, permission was granted to export 1,200 tonnes of hilsa, which is said to be less than half the quantity exported last year.

Speaking at the Kurigram deputy commissioner’s office on Monday afternoon, she noted that following demands from expatriate Bengalis, permission was also granted to export 11,000 tonnes of hilsa to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

Farida said, “This year, production has declined due to Jatka (hilsa fry less than 10 inches long) fishing, which has reduced supply in the domestic market.

“Initiatives, however, have been taken this month to sell hilsa at affordable prices in some parts of the country.”

She also said cattle in four districts, including Sirajganj, Pabna and Manikganj, will be fully vaccinated as part of a Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) prevention drive.