BD shuts door on Indian hilsa imports

The import of hilsa from India through the Benapole land port has been suspended after the Department of Fisheries cancelled 103 no-objection certificates (NOCs), leaving Bangladeshi importers facing uncertainty and potential financial losses.

The decision was communicated in a letter signed by Dr Md Khaled Konok, acting director general of the Department of Fisheries. The order took immediate effect, bringing the import process to a halt.

Aminul Haque, vice-president of the Benapole Port Importers and Exporters Association, confirmed the development, saying they had received the department’s letter cancelling the NOCs.

The Department of Fisheries has not specified a reason for the sudden suspension.
However, people involved in the trade said the move may be linked to concerns over imported Indian hilsa being sold as locally caught or Padma hilsa, possible money laundering through under-invoicing and efforts to encourage domestic hilsa production. These are views expressed by industry stakeholders and have not been confirmed by the authorities.

Importer Ziaur Rahman said the decision would cause significant financial losses for traders who had already purchased hilsa and stored it across the border.

He said they may now have to sell the fish at lower prices in India, while also bearing non-refundable expenses incurred during the import process.

Ashwadul Alam, quarantine inspector at Benapole land port, confirmed that the port authorities had received the official letter cancelling the 103 NOCs and that the order was being implemented immediately.

According to port sources, Bangladesh imported 352,786kg of Indian hilsa through Benapole in July and August, with an estimated value of Tk6.43 crore.