Bangladesh suspends Indian hilsa imports through Benapole, cancels permits

Indian hilsa imports through Jashore’s Benapole Land Port have been abruptly halted, with importers warning of heavy losses from the sudden move by the Fisheries Department.

Ashwadul Alam, inspector at the port’s Fisheries Quarantine Office, said Wednesday that imports were stopped from Tuesday after letters arrived from the ministry and Fisheries Department.

No hilsa entered Benapole after Monday.

Between Jul 20 and Sept 20 this year, 553 tonnes of hilsa worth $910,000 under letters of credit were imported from India.

The move followed cancellation of 103 no-objection certificates by the Fisheries Department. No specific reason has been given for the abrupt halt.

According to quarantine office data, hilsa imported during the first two months of the year had a declared value of Tk 69.29 million.

In July, 29,440kg was imported for Tk 3.55 million, while August imports totalled 323,346kg, declared at Tk 65.74 million.

Nineteen importers brought hilsa from India in July and August -- three in July and 19 in August.

A letter signed by fisheries department acting Director General Md Khaled Konok cancelled the 103 certificates on Tuesday, Ashwadul said.

Consumers have alleged that imported Indian and Myanmar hilsa has been sold as local or Padma hilsa, deceiving buyers.

Local hilsa traders, meanwhile, say the halt will allow them to sell domestic fish, giving consumers a chance to taste genuine hilsa.

Buyer Ashikur Rahman said Indian hilsa resembles Padma hilsa in appearance, confusing consumers despite differences in taste.

Importer Syed Mahidul Haque Rubai said the sudden halt would cause major losses.

“We had already bought hilsa across the border for import. Now we will have to return it at a lower price. On top of that, there are the losses from import costs.”

The fisheries department had approved 1,739.5 tonnes of Indian hilsa imports this fiscal year; 553 tonnes had entered through Benapole by Tuesday.

Importers are awaiting further instructions on whether imports can continue under the remaining approvals.

Benapole port’s acting director Ruhul Amin said no Indian hilsa entered the port on Wednesday morning.