Bangladesh lifts Hilsa export ban to India, permits 3,000 tonne shipment

Earlier this month, Bangladesh's interim government had banned the export of hilsa fish to India due to high domestic demand. However, on Saturday, the government reversed its decision, allowing the export of 3,000 tonnes of hilsa to India. The decision came after appeals from exporters, according to a statement from Bangladesh’s commerce ministry.

The ministry explained that the export is permitted under certain conditions for the upcoming Durga Puja, a major festival in West Bengal, which shares the longest border with Bangladesh.

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Why the ban was imposed

The ban on hilsa exports to India was initially imposed by Bangladesh’s interim administration, led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Muhammad Yunus, to meet the local demand for the fish. Hilsa is highly popular in Bangladesh, and the government wanted to ensure there was enough for domestic consumption.

Despite the earlier ban, the exporters' requests and India’s Fish Importers Association’s appeals led to the decision to allow limited exports ahead of the festival. Last year, Bangladesh had allowed 4,000 tonnes of hilsa to be exported to India.