In the riverine plains of Kurigram, something once dismissed as worthless is quietly rewriting local economic stories.
Fish scales, long treated as mere waste, are now emerging as an unlikely export commodity, turning discarded remnants into a growing source of income, jobs, and environmental relief.
Just a few years ago, piles of fish scales from Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Carp and Hilsa would be swept away as useless debris in local markets. Today, those same scales are being carefully collected, cleaned, dried under the sun, and stored – destined not for the trash heap, but for international markets.
A new value chain from old waste
The transformation is striking. Each year, hundreds of tonnes of fish scales are gathered across Kurigram and supplied to wholesalers, generating lakhs of taka in revenue.
What began as a small, overlooked activity has grown into a structured micro-industry.
The process itself is simple but effective: scales are separated from fish, washed thoroughly, sun-dried, and preserved for bulk sale.
Traders typically sell them two to three times a year, with prices ranging between Tk 2,000 and Tk 4,000 per maund.
What makes the business especially attractive is its low cost. Collecting a maund of raw scales costs just Tk 20-25. After drying, about one kilogram of usable scales remains, which sells for Tk 60-80 per kg, offering an easy margin for small traders and market workers.
Small traders, big impact
For many in local kitchen markets or wholesale fish markets, this shift has been life-changing. Traders like Sunil Chandra and Dilip Kumar from Rajarhat Bazar say they once discarded scales without a second thought. Now, with basic training, they see them as an additional income stream.
At Khalilganj Bazar, trader Purna Chandra Das reports collecting 20-30 kg of scales monthly, selling them in bulk to buyers in cities like Dhaka.
Beyond scales, even fish gills, intestines, and stomach parts are finding buyers, creating a broader waste-to-value ecosystem.
For fish cutters like Sajib at the Kurigram municipal bazar, the change is even more immediate. “We used to throw them away,” he says. “Now we earn something extra every day.”
Science behind the scales
The rising demand is not accidental. Fish scales are increasingly valued in global industries due to their unique composition. Rich in collagen (30-40%) and hydroxyapatite (60-70%), they are a goldmine for multiple sectors.
Collagen extracted from scales is widely used in skincare and biomedical applications, from anti-ageing products to wound healing materials.
Hydroxyapatite, meanwhile, is essential in bone repair and dental treatments.
Beyond that, scales are used to produce biodegradable plastics, organic fertilisers, and even materials that help remove toxic metals from wastewater.
A crystalline substance called guanine, found in certain fish scales, is also used to create the shimmering “pearl essence” seen in cosmetics and paints.
Backing from development initiatives
Organisations like RDRS Bangladesh are stepping in to scale up this opportunity.
With training and financial support, fishermen and traders in several upazilas are learning how to process and market fish scale products more efficiently.
Officials say the long-term goal is to expand this initiative nationwide, tapping into both domestic and export markets.
The Department of Fisheries is also closely monitoring quality standards.
According to district officials, fish scale processing is not only environmentally friendly but also economically promising, positioning it as a sustainable sector for future growth.
Cleaner environment, stronger economy
Perhaps the most significant impact lies in the dual benefit this initiative offers.
By utilising what was once waste, it reduces environmental pollution in fish markets and waterways. At the same time, it injects new income into the hands of small traders, labourers, and fish vendors.
In a place like Kurigram, often vulnerable to economic shocks, this quiet transformation is more than just a business story. It is a glimpse into how innovation, even at the smallest scale, can reshape livelihoods.
What was once swept aside is now being shipped overseas – proving that sometimes, the biggest opportunities are hidden in the smallest scraps.