Bangladesh exported eight tons of hilsha to India on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja.
The two trucks carrying the fish entered Petrapole port in India after completing Benapole customs and port formalities on Monday evening.
A total of 2,450 tons of hilsa will be exported from Bangladesh to India during this year's Durga Puja.
The Ministry of Commerce on Sunday allowed 49 companies to export hilsa. Each company can export 50 tons of hilsa.
The eight tons fish was exported on Monday by Mahila Enterprise of Barisal which was imported by India’s SR International.
Inspector Mahabub Rahman of Fish Inspection and Quality Control (FIQC) confirmed the hilsha fish to be exported at $10 per kilogram.
He added: “All the hilsha has to be exported by September 30.”
According to sources, although Padma river’s hilsa is loved by the Bengalis of West Bengal, the Bangladesh government stops its export from time to time considering the needs of the country. In 2012, a ban was imposed on the export of hilsa from Bangladesh to India.
However, Bangladesh has presented the fish to India on various occasions and also exported the fish last year on Durga Puja.
Manager Mizanur Rahman of Benapole's C&F agent Yuthi Enterprise said: "This time, the export price of hilsa per kg is $10 which is equivalent to Tk947.39."
Abdul Rashid Mia, joint commissioner of Benapole Customs House, said that instructions have been given to the field level officials of the customs for speedy exportation.
