Chandpur markets bustling with massive hilsa supplies

CHANDPUR, Aug 06: Supply of hilsa fish has increased in the markets of Chandpur district town in the recent days bringing smiles to the fishermen, traders, labourers as well as the consumers alike.

Market insiders said Chandpur Fish Landing Centre or Boro Station Fish ghat (the largest fish ghat in the district) has been almost crammed with massive consignments of the delicious silver fish from the river. The hilsa lovers are too delighted to see the abundant supply of the fish at this fish ghat and in other markets of Chandpur as well.

For the past few days, hilsa supply from southern districts has increased abundantly to around 500 maunds daily from 50/60 maunds usually.

But it was observed that most of the hilsa fish were of 500 gram, 600 gram, 400 gram and 300 gram weights. A few of the hilsa were of 800-900 grams and in some cases one kg.

On the back of increased supply, price of hilsa has come down brining smiles to the buyers and fish lovers.

Due to this upward trend in supply, the almost silent Fish ghat has turned into a busy and bustling area. The daily wage earners are too busy carrying hilsa from trawlers and trucks and then packing the fish to be sent to different districts by trucks-said labourers -Julhas, Khalek, Jamir, Ismail Hossain , Jakir Hossain.

During a market visit, it was observed that hilsa fish (weighing one kg) was selling at Tk2,000-

Tk2,200 per kg while hilsa weighing 600-700 grams was available at Tk1,400-Tk1,500 per kg.

Hilsa fish weighing 400 grams was selling at Tk-650-Tk750 per kg in the local markets- Horina Ghat Bazar, Natun Bazar, Puran Bazar, Pal Bazar, Biponibagh Bazar, Wireless Bazar, Baburhat Bazar, Mohamaya Bazar, Bohoria Bazar, Munshirhat Bazar and Ananda Bazar.

According to traders in Chandpur Fish Landing Ghat, after a long lapse of time since May last, massive hilsa supplies have turned this ghat into a busy and bustling market. According to the Hilsa Fish Merchants Association General Secretary Shab e Barat Sarker, around 500 maunds of hilsa are being supplied to Boro Station Fish Ghat daily for the past couple of days from southern districts- Bhola, Hatiya, Barguna, Charfassion, Sandwip, Char Alexander, and the adjacent areas. But supply of local hilsa from Padma -Meghna rivers is about 15-20 maunds daily. However, on hearing about the ample supply of hilsa, many buyers and fish lovers are crowding the fish ghat and the local fish markets in Chandpur Sadar every day. Retired employees Sarwar Hossain and Mir Farid Hossain and some day labourers purchased small sized hilsa of 600/700 grams for Tk1,350-Tk1,400 per kg at Biponibagh Bazar on Wednesday night.

Talking to the FE, Sadar Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Mirza Omar Faruque said, "Hilsa supply has increased in Chandpur Fish Landing Centre and we hope that supply of the fish will increase further in the weeks ahead.''

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