India to get 1,200 tonnes Bangladeshi hilsa at $12.5/kg ahead of Durga Puja

In a move timed with the upcoming Durga Puja festivities in India, the interim government has approved the export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India under special conditions.

The Ministry of Commerce has set a minimum export price of Tk 1,525 taka per kilogram — equivalent to $12.50 — based on an exchange rate of Tk 122 per US dollar.

The decision was announced in an official notification signed by SHM Magfurul Hasan Abbasi, Deputy Secretary of the Export-2 Branch, Ministry of Commerce, on Monday (8 September).

The export window is limited, with the ministry inviting applications from licensed exporters during office hours on 11 September, up to 5:00 PM. Interested exporters must submit their applications along with a set of mandatory documents, including an updated trade license, Export Registration Certificate (ERC), income tax and VAT certificates, a signed sales contract, a license from the Department of Fisheries, and other relevant paperwork.

The government's decision aims to ensure that hilsa exports are conducted in a regulated and transparent manner, preventing undervaluation and ensuring fair returns for domestic suppliers. The minimum price cap is intended to protect local availability and market stability, especially during the peak festive season when demand — both domestic and international — surges.

Hilsa, Bangladesh’s national fish, is highly prized in India, particularly during Durga Puja, when demand spikes across West Bengal and other states. The controlled export reflects a balance between capitalising on export opportunities and safeguarding domestic supply and prices.

Industry stakeholders are now awaiting further details on the allocation process and shipment timelines as exporters prepare to meet the tight application deadline.