Here’s How Much Different Varieties Cost Now

Dried fish from Cox’s Bazar is increasingly becoming a tourist must-buy item. Most visitors leaving the coastal city are now seen carrying at least one packet of dried seafood. Many visitors now go to the famous Nazirartek Dry Fish Hub and shop at local stores.

Located about 10 kilometers from the main town, Nazirartek is home to Bangladesh’s largest marine dried fish processing area. What was once primarily a business zone has now become a tourist destination. Tourists stroll through the narrow lanes of the hub—some buy dried fish, while others snap photos and soak in the unique atmosphere.

Shopkeepers say demand has noticeably risen in May, especially among tourists coming from Dhaka and Chittagong. The travellers prefer fresh, locally processed dried fish and often head straight to Nazirartek for a quick tour and shopping spree before returning home.

A kilogram of Rupchanda (Pomfret) is sold between  Tk1,200 and 2,500. Maitta is available for Tk700 to 1,000, while Coral dried fish ranges from Tk900 to 1,500. Poa is priced between Tk500 and 1,000.

Shrimp varieties are being sold at Tk1,000–2,000 per kg. Loitya (Bombay duck) costs between Tk400 and 800, while Churi (Ribbonfish) is priced at Tk600 to 1,500.00. Other mixed dried fish are available at prices ranging from Tk200 to Tk500.

For many, the salty aroma and distinct flavour of Cox’s Bazar’s dried fish offer a taste of the sea that’s hard to forget. Thanks to the growing interest from tourists, this traditional delicacy is gaining new ground as both a culinary souvenir and a symbol of the coastal town’s heritage.

By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Polash Shikdar