Noman Mosharef :
As Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali calendar, approaches on 14 April, festive preparations are in full swing across the country. Traditionally celebrated with panta bhaat (watery rice), hilsa fish, onions, and green chillies, this year’s festivities are being affected by a significant surge in hilsa prices in the capital’s markets.
According to traders, the spike is due to limited supply caused by an ongoing ban on fishing in designated hilsa sanctuaries across various districts, including Barishal, Chandpur, Lakshmipur, Bhola, Shariatpur, and Patuakhali.
On Monday (7 April), Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar announced Jatka Conservation Week, to be observed from 8 to 14 April. The initiative aims to boost hilsa production by banning all forms of hilsa catching and sales during this period.
In a further move to protect marine biodiversity, the government has also amended fishing laws to impose a 58-day fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal, effective from 15 April to 11 June.
Ilias Hossain, a fish vendor at New Market, reported that hilsa weighing 700-800 grams is currently selling for Tk 1,150-1,400, while smaller specimens (around 500 grams) are priced at Tk 1,000-1,100. Jatka, the juvenile hilsa, is being sold at Tk 500-650 per kilogram, despite the ban.
Another trader, Jobair Hossain, added that larger hilsa weighing one kilogram are priced at Tk 2,500, while those weighing 1.5 kg are fetching Tk 3,000-3,500.
Despite the end of Ramadan and Eid, market prices for many essentials remain elevated. Items such as aubergines, cucumbers, lemons, and poultry are still trading at Ramadan peaks.
Retail poultry prices have seen notable increases, with broiler chicken now selling at Tk 210 per kg, up Tk 20-30 over the past month. The premium Sonali variety has risen to Tk 320 per kg.
Rice prices have also seen upward movement. Fine rice now sells at Tk 96 per kg (Mozammel brand), up from Tk 90, while other brands such as Rashid and Sagar range between Tk 75-90. Atash rice is priced at Tk 60-65, and coarse rice at Tk 52-55 per kg.
Aubergines are currently priced at Tk 100-120 per kg for the long variety and Tk 70-80 for the green variety. Hybrid cucumbers are selling at Tk 60-80 per kg, while local ones fetch Tk 80-100. Lemons remain costly, with larger ones priced at Tk 80-100 per four pieces, and smaller varieties at Tk 40-60.
Green chillies have reached Tk 80-100 per kg, and cauliflower prices have doubled to Tk 80-100 each. Other vegetables, including cabbage (Tk 50-60), bitter gourd (Tk 80-100), pointed gourd and okra (Tk 70-80), papaya (Tk 50-60), and tomatoes (Tk 50-60), have also seen persistent price increases.
Prices for essentials such as potatoes (Tk 20-25 per kg), onions (Tk 40-50), and eggs (Tk 120-125 per dozen) have remained stable. Garlic and ginger, however, continue to vary depending on origin-local garlic is Tk 120 per kg, while the imported variety is Tk 240; local ginger is priced at Tk 130, and imported ginger at Tk 220.
Bottled soybean oil holds steady at Tk 175 per litre, while a two-kg flour pack is selling at Tk 120. Lentils are priced between Tk 120-135 per kg, and chickpeas at Tk 105 per kg.
Despite ample imports during Ramadan, date prices remain high and have yet to return to pre-festival levels.
