In a move that will disappoint fish lovers across Bengal, Bangladesh has decided not to export Hilsa to India this Durga Puja season and has also stopped importing the prized fish from India.

AdvertisementThe Puranic

Traditionally, the Bangladesh government earmarks a quota of Hilsa exports to India just before Durga Puja, a practice eagerly awaited by Bengalis who consider the fish a festive delicacy. However, this year, traders say the process has been abruptly halted.

According to Kolkata’s fish importers, Bangladesh cancelled all permits through a circular issued on September 23, effectively blocking both exports and imports. This comes weeks after India exported 500 metric tonnes of Hilsa to Bangladesh, reversing the usual flow of trade.

A delegation from the Fish Importers Association had visited Dhaka in August, meeting Commerce Secretary Ataur Rehman Khan to request lifting the ban. Despite the appeal, Bangladesh has stuck to its restrictions, leaving traders and consumers frustrated.

With time running out before Durga Puja, the absence of Hilsa from Bangladesh — often considered superior in taste and texture — is expected to impact festive markets and prices in India.