With the interim government in Bangladesh banning the export of Hilsa to India, fish sellers in India are being forced to either import it illegally or sell the limited frozen stock at skyrocketing prices to cater to the ongoing festive demand.

In the capital Delhi, Bangladeshi Hilsa is being sold at Rs3,000 (Tk4,200) per kilogram. Subsequently, restaurateurs are contemplating to hike up the rates of their festive menus which may cause deeper holes in the customers` pockets.

A fish shop owner at Delhi`s CR Park Market 1, who didn`t want to be identified, said he and many others are getting it illegally and selling it at Rs3,000 per kg. "Durga Puja is coming, and Bengali customers want Hilsa. We have to cater to their demands," he said.

A fish wholesaler at Kolkata`s famous Gariahat market echoed similar sentiments saying that he is selling Hilsa at Rs2,000 per kg with one fish being at least 1.5 kg in size.

"The fish is illegally coming to India via secret channels. India is their biggest importer," he said on condition of anonymity. Prior to the ban, fresh Hilsa used to be sold for Rs1,200 - Rs1,500 a kilo in Kolkata and Delhi.

Qarim bhai of JK Fish stall, Adyar, the only vendor that sells Bangladeshi Hilsa in Chennai has taken out all his frozen stock that are selling like hot cakes - 100 kgs a week. He has hiked up the price from Rs1,600 per kg to Rs2,000 per kg. "The price will mellow down after a month, once festivities are over," he said.

Atri Kumar Sinha, owner of Chennai-based cloud kitchen Aahaar said, "The price of raw Hilsa is so high that I am being forced to sell one piece of Bhapa ilish (steamed hilsa in mustard sauce) for Rs500, which I`d otherwise sell at Rs350-400."

Source : Times of India