Thursday, July 5, 2007

BD stoped exporting Hilsha fish

The Government yesterday decided to ban exports of the much-adored Hilsha fish from Bangladesh for at least six months, with a view to reducing its high price in the domestic market during the current peak season resulted from the supply constraints. An inter-ministerial meeting took the decision as in the recent days huge quantity of Hilsha known as the' king of fish' to the Bangalees of both Bangladesh and the West Bengal of India for its delicious and unique taste have been exported to India at a price which is lower than the domestic sales price.
Bangladesh is the top Hilsha producing country and this year the production is higher than that of the previous years due to the ban imposed on catching of Jatka (Hilsha having a length of 6 inches or less) during the breeding season.
Livestock and Fisheries ministry adviser Dr CS Karim who chaired the meeting told newsmen that though the amount of Hilsha yield this year is higher than that of the previous year, yet due to the massive exports of it to India, domestic market was experiencing a supply crisis during the ongoing peak season. He hoped that the decision to ban the export would reduce the prices of Hilsha in the domestic market.
The meeting was also told that in April this year 6700 KGs of Hilsha were exported to India at 2.5 US dollar per KG whereas the price of it in the local market is nearly 5 US dollar per KG.
The meeting also asked the joint forces, BDR and Coast Guard to prevent the smuggling of Hilsha following the imposition of this ban.
Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation and Fisheries Department would monitor the prices of Hilsha in the local markets to assess the impact of the ban, the meeting decided.

No comments: