Due to the increase in the price of fuel oil, the price of hilsa has increased at an unusual rate at the wholesale and retail levels in Barisal. In a span of two weeks, the price of small and medium sized hilsa has increased up to Tk 5-8 thousand per maund at the wholesale level. Accordingly, the price per kg has increased by Tk 150-200.
Fishermen and fishermen claim that due to the increase in the price of fuel oil, the cost of fishing by trawlers has increased more than before. Because of this, the price of hilsa has also increased. But by calculating the cost of fishing in the river by trawlers, it can be seen that in a small trawler, fuel consumption per kg of hilsa used to be about 16 rupees. Now it costs 22 taka 50 paisa. That is, the cost of hilsa hunting has increased by 6 taka 50 paisa per kg.
However, the price of hilsa per kg has increased by Tk 150-200 at the wholesale level due to the increase in fuel oil. Due to the high price, low income buyers are not able to buy hilsa. For the same reason, the middle class and lower middle class are not able to crowd near the hilsa.
On Thursday (August 18), one of the biggest hilsa destinations in the southern region, Port Road Fish Landing Center in Barisal city, it was seen that the price has increased by Tk 150-200 per kg in the span of two weeks. Compared to last year, hilsa has increased by 500 taka and is being sold at 1 thousand 450 taka at the wholesale level.
Common buyers say that a class of businessmen has increased the price of hilsa several times through a syndicate, using the excuse of increase in the price of fuel oil. As with the price of eggs, there is manipulation here. Besides, hilsa is being smuggled into India. So the price of hilsa is out of reach. For the middle class and lower middle class, buying hilsa at such a high price is nothing but a luxury.
Zaheer Sikder, the owner of M/s Abdullah Fish Aarat of Portroad Mokam and a member of the District Matsya Aaratdar Association, said, unlike other times, Hilsa are not available in the sea this year. Rivers are also catching less. Till this afternoon, 100-150 maund of hilsa have arrived at Port Road Fish Landing Centre. But last year at this time of the season, thousands of hilsa were imported. At that time, the price of hilsa was also low. He said that at this time last year, kilo size hilsa seeds were sold for 34 thousand taka per maund. According to that, the wholesale price of Hilsa per kg was Tk 850. And before the increase in the price of fuel oil, a kilo of hilsa was sold at 55 thousand taka. Today it was sold for 60 thousand taka. 5 thousands taka increased per maund. According to that, 125 per kg have increased.
Zaheer Sikder said that the supply of hilsa is insufficient compared to the demand. One of the major reasons for this is the effect of rising fuel prices. Fishermen use small, medium and large trawlers to catch fish in rivers and seas. Now the number of fishermen who go fishing by boat is very less. Trawlers are engine driven. Engine needs oil to run.
The price of that fuel has increased a lot. Due to the increase in the price of oil, there has been a reluctance to go fishing in the sea. Because there is not much hilsa being caught in the sea.
Fakir Litu, who came to buy hilsa at Barishal city's Port Road fish landing center on Thursday morning, told Bangladesh Post, "I admit that the price of oil has increased. But on that pretext, the price of hilsa per kg increased by Tk 150-200. hilsa weighing 700-950 grams is most in demand among the middle class. Artdars call this size hilsa 'LC size'. Two weeks ago, the hilsa was between Tk 1000-1100 per kg. Now it is being sold at 1250 rupees. A kg of hilsa weighing 500 grams was between Tk 750. Now it has increased to 900 rupees. The dealers have syndicated and increased the prices.'
About such complaints of the buyers Zahir Sikder and Yar Hossain, Artdars of Barishal City's Port Road Fish Landing Center said, 'It is not possible to calculate everything with a calculator. It is not enough to calculate the trawler's fuel. There are various expenses including food and drink. There is no syndicate here. There is no middleman here. Buyers have always raised the price.'
Barishal District Office Officer (Hilsa) Dr. Bimal Chandra Das told Bangladesh Post, 'After a week, Joe of the new moon. We hope that hilsa will be caught in rivers and seas as expected from now on. Then the price will also come to a bearable level.'
When asked whether Artadara is making extra profit by capitalizing on the increase in the price of fuel, he said that there may be reasons behind the increase in the price of hilsa. The real reason can come out if the relevant authorities supervise this matter.