Ahead of this year’s Sharadiya Durga Puja, Bangladesh has exported the first batch of around 37.5 tons of hilsa fish to India. Eight trucks carrying the fish entered Petrapole land port in India via Benapole land port around 12:30 am on Wednesday (16 September).

Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain confirmed the shipment.

According to port sources, five importing companies from Kolkata—National Trading, FNS Fish, Joy Shantasi, Maa International, and RJ International—received the first batch of hilsa. On the Bangladeshi side, six exporting companies—Satata Fish, Swarnali Enterprise, Tanisha Enterprise, Bishwas Traders, and Lucky Trading—shipped a total of 37.46 tons.

Although hilsa exports are generally restricted, the Bangladesh government has allowed a total of 1,200 tons to be exported to India ahead of the festival. Approval has been granted to 37 companies: one company can export 50 tons, 25 companies 30 tons each (totaling 750 tons), nine companies 40 tons each (360 tons), and two companies 20 tons each (40 tons).

Sharadiya Durga Puja, the largest festival of the Hindu community, is set to begin across West Bengal on 28 September. Fresh hilsa from the Padma River is reaching India just in time for the celebrations.