A total of 352,786 kilograms (over 3.52 lakh kg) of Hilsa fish was imported from India through Benapole land port in the first two months of the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
The fish, imported by 22 commercial enterprises across July and August, was valued at over Tk 6.92 crore (Tk 69,294,510), according to port quarantine records.
Ashwadul Alam, Fisheries Quarantine Inspector at Benapole Port, confirmed the import figures, noting a sharp rise in shipments in August compared to July.
Port sources revealed that 29,440 kg of Hilsa worth Tk 35.48 lakh arrived through three importing firms in July. In August, imports surged nearly 11-fold as 19 firms brought in 323,346 kg of Hilsa valued at over Tk 6.57 crore.
While the massive influx has boosted fish supplies across Benapole, Sharsha, Bagachra, Navaran and Jashore Boro Bazar, it has also created confusion among consumers over whether the fish is Indian or from Myanmar.
Local wholesalers claimed that Myanmar Hilsa is entering Bangladesh from India via Benapole. However, fisheries quarantine officials rejected the claim, clarifying that all Hilsa passing through Benapole originates from India, whereas Myanmar Hilsa enters the country through Chittagong Port.
Alongside legal imports, instances of illegal shipments have also been reported. On July 22, Benapole Customs authorities seized 12 cartons containing approximately 360 kg of Indian Hilsa brought in under a false declaration of "white fish."
Shopper Mehedi Hasan shared that he purchased an imported fish mistaking it for local Hilsa, only to notice a distinct difference in taste and aroma after cooking. "Because they look so similar, ordinary buyers cannot tell them apart and end up being deceived," he said.
Addressing the issue, Md. Salimuzzaman, Assistant Director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) in Jashore, said imported Hilsa must be sold with proper origin disclosures. "We are investigating the matter and will launch market drives if necessary," he warned.
