Print: 29 Oct 2025
The government has approved the export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India on the occasion of Durga Puja this year.
Exporters interested in participating have been asked to submit fresh applications in hard copy by 11 September within office hours (till 5pm).
Even those who had previously applied without invitation must reapply. The minimum export price has been set at US$12.5 per kilogram.
A notification signed by Deputy Secretary SHM Magfurul Hasan Abbasi confirmed the approval from the competent authority.
Hilsa from Bangladesh enjoys high demand in West Bengal, and the government allows exports each year ahead of the Durga Puja festival. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Ministry of Commerce initially decided to permit 3,000 tonnes of exports, but later reduced the volume to 2,420 tonnes.
This year’s approval – half of last year’s level – marks a further cut. In FY25, a total of 49 companies were granted permission.
Conditions for exporters include: not exceeding the approved quantity, no transfer of permits under any circumstances, no subcontracting through unauthorised parties, and the government reserves the right to halt exports at any time.
Applications must include a valid trade license, Export Registration Certificate (ERC), income tax certificate, VAT certificate, sales agreement, license from the Department of Fisheries, and other required documents.
Despite annual approvals, Bangladesh exports significantly less hilsa than permitted. In FY24, although 3,950 tonnes were approved for 79 companies, only about 802 tonnes were shipped through the Benapole and Akhaura land ports.
Hilsa exports were first allowed in 2019, when the first consignments were sent through Benapole at $6 per kilogram (Tk507), later rising to $10.
According to National Board of Revenue (NBR) data, exporters shipped 476 tonnes (476,000 kilograms) of hilsa in FY20, earning $3.9 million.
In FY21, they exported 1,699 tonnes of hilsa and earned $16.4 million, with prices ranging from $6, $8, and $10 per kilogram.
In FY22, exporters shipped 1,230 tonnes and earned $12.4 million at $10 per kilogram. In FY23, they exported 1,391 tonnes and earned $13.8 million.
Most recently, in FY24, exporters shipped 802 tonnes of hilsa and earned $8 million, with each kilogram selling at $10 or Tk1,098.
Although Bangladesh is the world’s largest hilsa producer, exports remain limited. Data from the past five years show that hilsa exports accounted for just 0.29% of total production.
(The reporter can be reached at: [email protected] )
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Govt approves export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India for Durga Puja
The government has approved the export of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa to India on the occasion of Durga Puja this year.
Exporters interested in participating have been asked to submit fresh applications in hard copy by 11 September within office hours (till 5pm).
Even those who had previously applied without invitation must reapply. The minimum export price has been set at US$12.5 per kilogram.
A notification signed by Deputy Secretary SHM Magfurul Hasan Abbasi confirmed the approval from the competent authority.
Hilsa from Bangladesh enjoys high demand in West Bengal, and the government allows exports each year ahead of the Durga Puja festival. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Ministry of Commerce initially decided to permit 3,000 tonnes of exports, but later reduced the volume to 2,420 tonnes.
This year’s approval – half of last year’s level – marks a further cut. In FY25, a total of 49 companies were granted permission.
Conditions for exporters include: not exceeding the approved quantity, no transfer of permits under any circumstances, no subcontracting through unauthorised parties, and the government reserves the right to halt exports at any time.
Applications must include a valid trade license, Export Registration Certificate (ERC), income tax certificate, VAT certificate, sales agreement, license from the Department of Fisheries, and other required documents.
Despite annual approvals, Bangladesh exports significantly less hilsa than permitted. In FY24, although 3,950 tonnes were approved for 79 companies, only about 802 tonnes were shipped through the Benapole and Akhaura land ports.
Hilsa exports were first allowed in 2019, when the first consignments were sent through Benapole at $6 per kilogram (Tk507), later rising to $10.
According to National Board of Revenue (NBR) data, exporters shipped 476 tonnes (476,000 kilograms) of hilsa in FY20, earning $3.9 million.
In FY21, they exported 1,699 tonnes of hilsa and earned $16.4 million, with prices ranging from $6, $8, and $10 per kilogram.
In FY22, exporters shipped 1,230 tonnes and earned $12.4 million at $10 per kilogram. In FY23, they exported 1,391 tonnes and earned $13.8 million.
Most recently, in FY24, exporters shipped 802 tonnes of hilsa and earned $8 million, with each kilogram selling at $10 or Tk1,098.
Although Bangladesh is the world’s largest hilsa producer, exports remain limited. Data from the past five years show that hilsa exports accounted for just 0.29% of total production.
(The reporter can be reached at: [email protected] )