Bangladesh has begun exporting hilsa to India ahead of the Hindu Durga Puja festival, with the first consignment of more than 37 tonnes crossing through Benapole land port early Wednesday (Sept 17).

Meanwhile, the government has approved 37 exporters to ship a total of 1,200 tonnes of the prized fish to India until 5 October.

According to customs officials, the first shipment — 37.46 tonnes — left Benapole in eight trucks shortly after 1 am Tuesday. The government has set the export price at USD 12.50 per kilogram, equivalent to about Tk 1,563.

Rahat Trade Ltd, acting as the clearing and forwarding agent at Benapole, handled the paperwork for exporter Messrs Satata Fish. The consignment is being imported by Kolkata-based Joy Shantoshi Maa Enterprise.

Satata Fish proprietor Sahadur Rahman Khokon said his company has approval to export 40 tonnes in total, of which three tonnes were sent in the first consignment. The remaining fish will be shipped in phases before the deadline, he added.

Benapole Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Officer Aswadul Islam confirmed that the government has set a 20-day window — from 16 September to 5 October — for completing the export.

Hilsa, Bangladesh’s national fish, is highly sought after in neighbouring West Bengal, where demand peaks during the Durga Puja celebrations.

SMS/