Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, stated that they did not want to close the door on discussions with India over minor issues.
“The decision came from the top level,” she said, emphasising that the export value of hilsa was significant and should not be underestimated. “The price has already increased so it’s not accurate to say prices will rise further due to export. This matter is under govt’s consideration,” noted the TOI report.
On Saturday, Bangladesh announced it would export 3,000 metric tonnes of hilsa to India ahead of Durga Puja.
The announcement follows the interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, recently imposing a ban on hilsa exports to India earlier this month to prioritise domestic demand, marking a departure from a long-standing tradition of exporting the fish as a goodwill gesture.
“Against the backdrop of appeals by the exporters, approval has been given to export 3,000 tonnes of hilsa fish (to India), fulfilling the specific conditions on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja,” the commerce ministry had earlier said in a statement.
Under the previous Awami League government led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, hilsa exports to India were permitted each year from September to October as a gesture of goodwill—a tradition maintained for many years.
Officials indicated that in 2023, Bangladesh allowed 79 companies to export a total of 4,000 tonnes of hilsa to India in conjunction with Durga Puja, the largest festival for Hindu Bengalis. While Bangladesh is the world’s largest producer of hilsa, it typically restricts exports due to high domestic demand. However, it often relaxes these restrictions during the Durga Puja festival, when hilsa is particularly sought after.