Despite its adequate supply in the city markets and chain shops, the prices of Ilish shot up yesterday, two days before Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla calendar.
Stakeholders said the prices of Ilish increased by 10 % this year compared to the same period in last year.
They also expected that the prices of Ilish may drastically fall this evening because of a huge supply of Ilish in city kitchen markets.
Most Ilish are now coming from the mouth of the sea and cold storages and the middle men are controlling its market, official sources said.
The fisheries and livestock ministry officials said the local market is squeezing as Ilish-like foreign fish have flooded the market.
Ilish stored one and half months ago are selling at Tk1,000-Tk1,500 in city kitchen markets and a pair of Ilish are selling at Tk3,000 which was only Tk1,500 two weeks ago. At Karwan Bazar, two pieces of Ilish weighing six kilograms are selling at Tk26,000.
Fish traders said few fresh Ilish also come into the kitchen market. Small Ilish called Jatka are selling at Tk200 per piece.
In the chain shops, Ilish less than one kg are selling in between Tk580 and Tk700 yesterday while it was below Tk500 two weeks ago, according to market sources.
The local market of Ilish has squeezed over the year due to water pollution and import of Ilish-like foreign fish, official sources said.
A recent study conducted by the Bangladesh Fish Research Institution showed that it was disaster for the country’s local fish production.
In the name of Ilish, some traders are selling “Chokori” and “Chandria” imported from Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Oman and Yemen, posing a challenge to the local market.
Market sources said 12,000-13,000 tonnes of Chokori and Chandria were imported from Myanmar, Vietnam and Oman in last seven months which are selling in local markets in the name of Ilish.
According to a fisheries directorate report, the northern side of Satnol in the River Meghna is a safe haven for the local Ilish. But fish experts found it unhealthy for young fish.
Director General of Fisheries Directorate Syed Arif Azad said that industrial waste being released from factories and tanneries had been polluting river water, posing threat not only to Ilish, but also to flora and fauna.
Catch of Ilish will sharply go down within a short time if the government does not take stern action against the polluters right now, he pointed out.
Fisheries directorate sources said in the first and second weeks of September, mother Ilish lay eggs in the rivers. Mother Ilish lay eggs in the areas of Shahari channel in Mirsarai upazila to Hikhandi point, North Tazumuddin in Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola to North Syed Asualia point, Latachaparti point of Kalapara upazila and North Kutupdia Godigram point.
Earlier, 95% of Ilish had been collected from Padma and Meghna rivers although now only 33 % come from local rivers while the rest of fish from sea bank.
Vice–President of Bangladesh Frozen Food Association Ashraf Hossain Mazud told the Dhaka Tribune that because of ban on the export of Ilish, they had already shifted their business from Ilish. Prices of the local ilish will go down if the prices of its export fall in West Bengal market, he pointed out.
Shortage of local Ilish is now acute as small Ilish from Myanmar directly goes to Indian market, he also said.
Fixed income groups of people in the country started consuming the fish in the recent times thanks to an export ban in July 31, 2012. A total of 32 crore people of Bangladesh and India is the main market of Ilish and total of 6-7 lakh tonnes Ilish catch in Bangladesh in a year.
