The prices of hilsa have shot up in the kitchen markets of the district town on the eve of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla year.
Hilsa is one of the traditional, delicious items on the menu of New Year celebration feasts and so its increased demand has led to a price hike. Consequently, comparatively low earning people here are struggling to include the item in their menu.
Currently, the price of one hilsa weighing around 1.2kg has increased by Tk500 per kg, which was previously being sold at Tk1,200-1,400 per kg at Purantana Bazar, Kachari Bazar and Boro Bazar.
A 1.5kg weight Ilish was sold for around Tk1,600-1,700 per kg yesterday while the same item was sold at Tk1,100-1,200, just a few days ago.
On Friday, traders were demanding Tk350-400 for single 600-700gm weight Ilish at Purantana Bazar, whereas its price was Tk200- 250 just three days back, said Majibur Rahman, a retailer from the Sholakia area of the town.
Badrul Ahmed, a buyer, says that with the boosted demand, during this time every year a section of traders make a windfall profit by manipulating the prices on the eve of Pahela Baishakh.
Traders Majnu Mia and Kamal Uddin concur, saying that usually the demand for hilsa increases ahead of Pahela Baishakh since it is a meal-time favourite on the occasion and people from all walks of life have already started buying Ilish as early as seven days back, causing the unusual price hike. They think that “the hike will continue in line with the approaching Bangla New Year.”