With four days left to end the deadline, Bangladesh has so far exported 459 metric tonnes (MT) of Hilsa to India marking the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community across the world, through the Benapole land port.
The export started through the country's largest land port with 54.460 tonnes on September 26, and India received 459 tonnes sent through the land port over the past 12 days, UNB reports.
The government set a price of $10 equivalent to Tk 1, 180 per Kilogram of Hilsa.
Asked about the low price of the exported Hilsa, Mahbubur Rahman, an official at Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Centre of Benapole land port, said the circular on Hilsa export dates back a few years. Then the export price of Hilsa was fixed at $ 10 per kg in line with the market price of that time.
Hilsa is still being exported according to the circular. However, the price of hilsa may be adjusted in line with the domestic market price, he said.
Rashedul Sajib Nazir, deputy director of the land port, confirmed that they could export only 459 tonnes of Hilas since September 26.
It may be mentioned a five day holiday centring Durga Puja will begin from Thursday and activities of the land port will remain suspended till after the end of the Puja.