Middle class buyers buy cut-pieces of hilsa in Kalapara area

Hilsa being sorted in Kalapara.

Patuakhali: Once upon a time, large-sized fresh hilsa was sold at the price of Tk 200 to Tk 300 per kg in the coastal bazaar. But now one kg of hilsa is being sold 1600-1700 taka per kg.

Therefore, it is not possible for the lower and middle class people to buy and eat hilsa at high prices, so they buy half-cut hilsa within the purchasing range to meet the taste of the family members. 

Jewel (32), a retail fish trader, is selling half-cut hilsa in the evening under the Sheikh Russell Bridge in Alipur Bazaar, near Alipur Fish Landing Center, adjacent to Kuakata. According to Jewel, most common people come to the market to buy hilsa. But as the price is out of reach, the upper classes buy fresh hilsa, but the lower and middle classes return empty-handed. However, eating various fishes, cutting off the tail, head and body part of the hilsa is now the hope of the lower and middle classes.

A buyer named Delwar (55) said, 'I came to the market to buy hilsa. But come and see the price of good fresh hilsa. Which I cannot afford.

So I am asking the price of thorn hilsa. I ask 350 taka for 1 kg of hilsa cut in small and big sizes. I think I will go home with a kilo of chopped hilsa.' 

Abdullah, the fish seller of Alipur market, said, 'When the fishermen return from the sea with fish. Then, among their fish, many fish come with head, tail and different parts of the body cut off. These were not brought by fishermen at one time. But now they are in high demand.

So when the fishermen bring these fish, we buy them at half price.

Later, we sell the fish for Tk 200 to Tk 350 per kg depending on the size. That's why many poor people and middle class people can enjoy hilsa. Comparatively, these half-cut fishes are more expensive than good ones. - Gofran Biswas Palash