Archive · 14 Sep 2026
India Sends 500 Tonnes of Hilsa to Bangladesh Amid Shortage
India and Bangladesh usually trade hilsa in the opposite direction.
In recent years, India has received hilsa from Bangladesh before the Durga Puja festival.
This year, India has sent about 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh in two months.
More shipments of 150–200 tonnes may follow.
Traders say Bangladesh has less hilsa available this year.
Bangladeshi buyers especially like Gujarat hilsa because it contains a lot of roe, or fish eggs.
Some of the fish is eaten locally, while some is processed or dried.
Bangladesh may also re-export some of the fish and roe to other countries.
It is still unclear whether Bangladesh will send Padma River hilsa to India this festive season.
India exported around 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh over the past two months.
Fish traders expect another 150–200 tonnes to be exported in the coming weeks.
Most consignments came from Gujarat through Bharuch port, with some routed through Howrah.
Bangladeshi traders turned to India amid reports of lower hilsa production and domestic supply.
Gujarat hilsa is prized for its high roe content and is also processed, dried, or re-exported.
- Who
- Indian fish traders and Bangladeshi fish traders and buyers are involved.
- What
- India exported about 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh, reversing the traditional trade flow.
- When
- The exports occurred over the two months before September 13, with another 150–200 tonnes expected in the following weeks.
- Where
- The fish was sourced mainly from Gujarat and shipped through Bharuch port, with some supplies routed through Howrah in West Bengal.
- Why
- Reports of lower hilsa production in Bangladesh created a domestic supply gap, while Gujarat hilsa is attractive for its high roe content.
- Reported exports
- Around 500 tonnes of hilsa from India to Bangladesh over two months
- Expected additional exports
- Approximately 150–200 tonnes in the coming weeks
- Main source
- Gujarat
- Primary shipping route
- Bharuch port, with some consignments routed through the Howrah wholesale fish market
- Bangladeshi demand
- High demand for roe-filled hilsa, especially in Chattogram and Sylhet
- Processing and re-export
- Some fish is processed, dried as salted hilsa, or re-exported; roe is also sold separately
- Previous Bangladesh exports
- Bangladesh permitted 1,200 tonnes of hilsa exports to India before last year's festive season
