Skyrocketing hilsa price in Khulna markets

Khulna Bureau :

Even during the peak season, the supply of Hilsa in Khulna is not as expected. As about 90 percent less fish comes to the market than the demand, the price has skyrocketed. As a result, many people who came to buy Hilsa are returning empty-handed, while some are returning home after buying only one or two fish, as they can afford it.
At Khulna’s Rupsha Fish Market and Ghat No. 5 Wholesale Fish Market, wholesalers and retailers have been seen gathering since early morning to buy Hilsa. At these stores, jatka Hilsa is being sold for 700 to 900 taka per kg, 500-600 gram Hilsa is being sold for 1,700 taka, 700-800 gram Hilsa is being sold for 1,800 taka, and 1 kg or more Hilsa is being sold for 2,300 to 2,500 taka.
On the other hand, similar prices have been seen at the city’s Moylapota Sandhya Bazar and Rupsha KCC Market. In these markets, jatka hilsa is being sold for 900 to 1,000 taka per kg, hilsa weighing 500-600 grams for 1,400 to 1,800 taka, and hilsa weighing 700-800 grams for 1,800 to 2,000 taka. The price of hilsa above 1 kg is 2,200 to 2,300 taka.
Ashek Elahi, a retail hilsa seller in that market, said that if the supply increases in the future, the price may decrease by 300-400 taka per kg.
Abu Musa, owner of M/s Medina Fish of Rupsha Fish Shop, expressed the same optimism, saying that the supply has increased slightly compared to before and the price has also decreased slightly, but it is still out of reach of most buyers.
Wholesale traders and shopkeepers say that hilsa is now being brought directly to Khulna by truck from Barisal, Bhola, Kuakata, Char Doani and Alipur. The price of hilsa has also increased due to the increase in the cost of supply.