Fresh ilish scarce in Kolkata as frozen Myanmar hilsa fills markets; no Bangladesh consignment so far

Fresh ilish availability is scarce in Kolkata, as frozen Myanmar hilsa fills markets while no Bangladesh shipment has arrived so far. Consumers say the cold-storage fish has not met expectations for taste and texture, and retailers report low fresh supplies across areas including Lake Market, Gariahat, Behala and Manicktala. Prices for fresh fish weighing over 1 kg are reported at Rs 2,200 to Rs 2,800, while frozen options dominate. Padma hilsa from Bangladesh is absent from city markets, despite Bangladesh’s 2025 approval of exporting 1,200 tonnes to India ahead of Durga Puja. Traders attribute the shortfall to low catch, linked to insufficient rainfall and salinity conditions. As a result, frozen fish keeps demand limited and costs high.