Every morning, from 5:45 AM to 8:00 AM, the fish market in Muladuli Union of Ishwardi upazila in Pabna becomes a busy trading hub. During this short two-hour window, fish worth Tk 50 to 60 lakh is sold daily. Fish farmers from surrounding areas bring their catch to the wholesale market, where buyers (known as beparis) purchase and immediately send the fish to Dhaka and other districts by truck.
A visit to the market shows rows of large plastic drums filled with water, keeping the fish alive. Local fish varieties such as rui, katla, mirka, silver carp, glass carp, black carp, and small species like koi, tengra, bheda, taki, and tilapia are all sold here. Buyers carefully seal the drums after purchase to keep the fish secure during transport.
Traders confirmed that fish is sent from Muladuli to major cities including Dhaka, Chattogram, Bogura, Kushtia, Jamalpur, and Gazipur. Fish farmers not only from Ishwardi but also from Atgharia, Chatmohar (Pabna), and Baraigram and Dayarampur (Natore) sell their produce at this market. Along with mature fish, fingerlings are also sold.
Ariful Islam, owner of a local fish wholesale business, said that the Muladuli fish market has been running for over 35 years. Farmers begin arriving with fish before 5:00 AM, and trading starts by 5:30 AM. By 8:00 AM, most of the fish is packed and sent to various parts of the country.
Veteran trader Mithu Sarker said that during the peak season, the volume of trade can exceed Tk 1 crore per day. On average, 70 to 80 trucks carry hundreds of kilograms of fish from Muladuli to different destinations. On the day of the visit, he personally bought 1,200 kg of various fish species, filled them in seven water-filled drums, and sent them off to Dhaka and Gazipur — where they would be sold before noon.
According to the Ishwardi Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer’s office, the upazila has 1,693 registered fishers and 1,540 fish farmers. There are 3 hatcheries and 2,760 ponds in the area. The annual fish demand is 7,157 metric tonnes, while current production stands at 7,282.81 metric tonnes — exceeding local demand by 125.81 tonnes.
Senior Fisheries Officer Abdur Rahman Khan said that the Muladuli market is an important centre for fish trade, helping local farmers earn good profits. However, despite the large daily turnover, the market lacks development. He stressed the need for proper infrastructure improvements to support both traders and farmers and to ensure the sustainable growth of this important wholesale hub.
