Over 50 metric tonnes of Hilsa fish have arrived in West Bengal from Bangladesh, following the interim government's decision to permit exports until mid-October during the Durga Puja festival, importers reported on Saturday. Another shipment of approximately the same amount of 'Padmar Ilish'—a popular Bengali delicacy—is expected soon.

The Fish Importers' Association had recently requested the Bangladeshi interim government to continue the export of Hilsa during the festival, a practice that has been upheld for the past five years as a goodwill gesture.

"The first consignment of over 50 metric tonnes arrived two days ago through the Petrapole border and has been distributed to various wholesale markets in Kolkata and surrounding districts. We anticipate another shipment of around 50 metric tonnes to arrive within a day," stated Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the Association.

Each Hilsa fish weighs between 700 grams and 1 kilogram, with prices ranging from ₹900 to ₹1,500 per kilogram. The Kolkata-based national sea fish importers-exporters body hopes to receive a total of over 2,000 metric tonnes of Hilsa by October 12, which is the deadline for arrivals from Bangladesh, as fishing for Hilsa will be banned in the neighboring country starting October 13.

The initial consignment has reached wholesale markets in areas such as Patipukur, Sealdah, and Howrah in South Bengal, as well as Siliguri in North Bengal, where it has been available for sale for the past two days.

"We anticipate larger fish in the upcoming shipments. Demand is high, but some customers are dissatisfied with the current size and taste," remarked Sukumar Das, a fish seller at the Baisnabghata Rathtala market in South Kolkata.

Currently, each of the five fish sellers in that market has a stock of 15-20 kg of imported Hilsa.

On September 21, Bangladesh's interim government announced that it would export 3,000 tonnes of Hilsa to India in time for the Durga Puja festivities, revising its earlier export plans.

"Following requests from exporters, approval has been granted to export 3,000 tonnes of Hilsa to India, fulfilling specific conditions for the upcoming Durga Puja," stated a release from the Bangladesh Commerce Ministry.

Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 9 to 13 this year. In 2023, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh allowed the export of a total of 4,000 tonnes of Hilsa to India during the Durga Puja celebrations.