Bangladesh lifts hilsa export ban, approves 3,000 tonnes to India for Durga Puja

The Bangladesh government on Saturday approved the export of 3,000 tonnes of hilsa fish to India to meet the demand during the upcoming Durga Puja festival. The neighbouring country had banned the export of hilsa to India earlier this month, following the change of guard after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Now, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce has approved the export of 3,000 tonnes on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja, the Daily Star reported.
Hilsa is a popular fish in both Bangladesh and India, and it is considered a delicacy during Durga Puja. The festival is celebrated by millions of people in both countries, and the demand for hilsa is expected to be high. The country used to send large consignments of Padma ilish to India during the festive season, which was considered as a goodwill practice facilitated by Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina.
Imposing the ban, the caretaker government under Muhammad Younus, had mentioned that the decision was taken to ensure sufficient supply for local consumers.
Bangladesh, which produces nearly 70 per cent of the world’s hilsa, takes great pride in this national symbol, as hilsa is also the country’s national fish.
In 2012, Bangladesh imposed an export ban on the fish due to disagreements over the Teesta River water-sharing agreement. However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina later enabled exports, as the ban caused a steep rise in prices in Indian markets and fuelled an increase in smuggling across the porous India-Bangladesh border. The ban was lifted in 2022.