Hilsa prices spike as Pahela Baishakh fuels demand

The price of hilsa fish in Dhaka markets has begun to rise in anticipation of the coming Bengali New Year.

The price of large and small hilsa has risen by Tk 200-300 per kg in a week at Dhaka’s Mirpur-6 bazar, Rupnagar bazar and Mohakhali market.

Traders say that customers are buying hilsa early for Pahela Baishakh. The excess demand has caused prices to increase by the day.

A 1kg hilsa fish was selling for Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,400 at the Mirpur-6 bazar. But few fish of that size were available.

Hilsa fish weighing 800-900gm were sold at Tk 1,100 per kg. Hilsa of 600-800gm was selling between Tk 700-800 per kg. Hilsa fish of 400-500gm was selling for Tk 600 per kg.

“The price of hilsa has risen at least Tk 200-300 in the last week,” fish trader Dadon Mia told bdnews24.com.

The Mirpur-6 bazar trader said the price spike was linked to rising prices at the Karwan Bazar storehouse.

“The storehouse keepers raised the price as the demand has risen. As a result, we have been forced to raise the prices.”

Traders at Mirpur’s Rupnagar Bazar had also increased the price of hilsa fish by Tk 200-300 per kg.

The Mohakhali bazar had a limited stock of hilsa compared to that of other fish. Only two traders were selling hilsa fish. They had also increased their prices.