Maniktala market next to Sealdah station in Kolkata, famous for fish, was different this Thursday morning. Although the market is crowded, the buyers are not so much. The main reason: the high price of hilsa from Bangladesh. However, both buyers and sellers are happy with the arrival of this hilsa before Durga Puja.

Padma hilsa weighing 700 grams to 1 kg and 200 grams is being sold for Rs 1,800 to 2,200 in various retail markets in West Bengal. Syed Anwar Maqsood, Secretary of the West Bengal Fish Importers Association, said that hilsa from Bangladesh has started coming to India in stages from Wednesday. In the first phase, hilsa from Barisal has arrived, which is more expensive than hilsa from other areas.

Association president Atul Chandra Das said that hilsa weighing 700 grams to 1 kg was auctioned for Rs 1,500 in the wholesale market, and fish weighing 1 kg to 1.5 kg was auctioned for Rs 1,800. The retail price is Rs 200-250 more.

Retailer Gaurang Pal said, “The price is high because of transportation, ice and profit margin.” A vendor in Maniktala market said that the supply of hilsa from Bangladesh is limited compared to the demand. The fish are not coming all at once, resulting in a supply problem.

Maqsood also said that it will not be possible to import the 1,200 tonnes of fish approved by the Bangladesh government by October 5. Last year too, the full quantity of fish could not be imported due to time constraints.

The presence of Bangladeshi hilsa packed in packets in Kolkata and suburban markets has created excitement among buyers and traders, which has enlivened the market ahead of Durga Puja.