Fish prices including Hilsa have surged across Syedpur's city and village markets in Nilphamari leaving buyers struggling as supply falls short of demand.
Traders say low hilsa supply has pushed small-sized hilsa above Tk.2,000-2,200 per kg. While fishermen report reasonable catches at sea and in rivers the wholesalers say the volume reaching markets remains far below demand despite periodic government bans on Hilsa breeding being lifted after which fishermen resume fishing.
A market visit found one-kilogram Hilsa selling for Tk.2,700-2,900 while smaller hilsa fetched Tk.2,200-2,400 per kg. Rui and Katla were priced between Tk.250-450 per kg depending on size, pangas between Tk.250-350 and silver carp and other varieties between Tk.250-400 per kg.
Many buyers said the already high prices have made purchasing difficult with some backing away after checking rates. Locally farmed pond fish are also commanding high prices.
Sabbir Hossain, a buyer said he had largely given up on hilsa in recent years, turning instead to pangasius. He noted that fish previously priced at Tk.150-200 per kg now sell for Tk 250-400 adding that although hilsa scarcity was earlier attributed to exports to India also the situation has worsened further.
A fish seller speaking anonymously and said local rivers are not yielding enough fish also forcing traders to import from other areas which keeps supply short of demand and prices elevated. The seller expressed hope that prices would ease once supply improves.
