Ferdousur Rahman, Bogra :
The prices of Hilsa fish have increased substantially in Bogra retail markets with approaching the Pahela Boishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year.
During a visit to various markets of the district town, this correspondent found Hilsa fish were being sold at skyrocketed prices on Tuesday, two days ago of the Pahela Baishakh.
The price of Hilsa weighing around 800 grams to 1 kg was increased by about Tk 700-900 over the last one month and was selling between Tk 10,00 and Tk 15,00 a kg at various kitchen markets of the district town.
“The supply of fish is quite as usual but the demand is very high mainly for the upcoming Pahela Baishakh,” said Hilsha trader Shree Nibaroon Chandra at Fateh Ali Bazar.
He informed that a large number of consignments of Hilsa are entering the market but the demand for the fish is very high as huge people are rushing for the delicious fish. Customers alleged that both whole sellers and retailers in the market are raising the prices as they want to take full advantage of the craze for celebrating the Pahela Baishakh.
The Bengali New Year will be celebrated on April 14 this year. One hali (four pieces) of Hilsa, weighing around 1 kg or above, were sold at Tk 11,00-12,00 at the Shah Fateh Ali market on Tuesday. A medium size Hilsa weighing around 600 grams to 800 grams was selling at Tk 800 to Tk 1,050 a piece at the Raza Bazzar market on Tuesday as against Tk 800 to Tk 950 a piece last week. Usually, a good number of traders reserve the Hilsha for sale ahead of the Pahela Boishask for earning more profit.
“This is a common practice and the reserve is also quite satisfactory,” said Mr. Amenul Islam, Councilor of Bogra Pawrashova also adviser of Goudr Para fish whole market. He, however, expected the price will be stable soon after the pahela boishak.
“I came to buy a Hilsha for celebrating the Pohela Boishak but it seems to be difficult as the prices are high and I may not afford the cost,” said Md. Moajjem Hossain, an assistant of a lawer of Bogra Judge Court.
Except Hilsha, prices of other essential commodities in the Bogra town’s kithchen market remained almost stable..
