Hilsa-laden trawlers are arriving at 19 coastal fish landing stations in Sitakunda, Chattogram, but much of the catch is not reaching local markets, according to a report published on July 30, 2026. Fish are being loaded from auction houses onto trucks for Dhaka, Jashore, Sylhet and other districts, while traders say some are exported abroad. Reduced local supply has pushed retail hilsa prices to Tk2,000 to Tk2,700 per kilogram, putting the fish beyond many residents’ purchasing power.

The report alleges that advance-loan-based fish trading, auction-house syndicates and control by outside wholesalers have created an artificial local shortage. Sitakunda has 5,418 registered and unregistered fishers, most of whom lack their own capital and take advances for fuel, ice, net repairs and food. Under those terms, they must sell all catches through designated auction houses, limiting their ability to benefit from higher market prices.

Auction prices range from Tk16,000 to Tk107,000 per maund depending on size. A local trader and the upazila executive officer proposed halting shipments outside the area at least one day a week for direct local sales. The fisheries officer said allegations of extortion from about 1,500 fishing boats using his name require investigation.