Prices of various marine fish have risen at Boro Bazar in Cox’s Bazar over the past week, while farmed fish have also become Tk 10–20 pricier per kilogram. A 22-day ban on sea fishing, which began on October 8, has reduced the supply of marine fish, forcing buyers to pay more at the market.
On Friday, various marine and farmed fish were sold at higher prices during a visit to Boro Bazar. Depending on size and quality, hilsa sold for Tk 1,000–1,800 per kilogram, pomfret for Tk 700–1,400, coral fish for Tk 1,000–1,300, popa for Tk 260–500, and ribbonfish for Tk 400–700.
Among farmed fish, rohu sold for Tk 340–420 per kilogram, catla for Tk 350–450, tilapia for Tk 250–300, and pangasius for Tk 190–220.
Fish traders said the fishing ban had reduced marine fish supply, pushing up prices. Meanwhile, strong consumer demand also drove up prices of farmed fish.
Kalo Hasan, a fish trader at Boro Bazar, said marine fish had become pricier because of limited supply. He added that farmed fish prices had also risen by Tk 10–20 per kilogram due to high demand.
The price increases have put ordinary consumers under pressure. Ariful Haque, a salaried buyer at the market, said, “My salary is limited, but the prices of almost everything in the market are high. Fish, in particular, is expensive. So I try to buy smaller fish whenever possible.”
Market observers said prices could remain under pressure if marine fish supply continued to fall short of demand. This could force low-income consumers to buy less fish.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Mohammad Morshed
