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As Durga Puja approaches, Bengali households may face a steeper cost for the beloved hilsa fish, or "ilish," as Bangladesh's interim government has banned its export to India. This move, following the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has caused a shortage of the prized Bangladeshi hilsa, leading to soaring prices in Indian markets.
The ban, enforced by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, aims to ensure sufficient supply for local consumers. "We cannot allow ilish to be exported while our own people cannot buy them," said Farida Akhter, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Despite the official ban, there are reports of the Padma hilsa finding its way into India, albeit at higher prices.
Bangladesh produces 70% of the world’s hilsa, and its export had been restricted from 2012 to 2020 due to political disputes, though exceptions were made for India during Durga Puja under Sheikh Hasina. The current ban has rekindled fears of smuggling across the India-Bangladesh border.