The processing and trading of dried fish, locally known as shutki, have emerged as a profitable industry for thousands of people living in the haor areas.
With demand for the traditional delicacy increasing, the business has become increasingly lucrative in recent years, said local trader Kazol Bramon.
During the monsoon, rivers and canals across the haor areas of Kishoreganj fill with water, bringing an abundance of fish. As water levels recede in autumn and winter, small fish are caught in large quantities.
A significant portion of the catch is dried and sold as shutki. The dried fish is also in high demand among producers of chapa, a traditional fermented fish delicacy.
Dried fish is now traded across all upazilas of Kishoreganj, with the largest market located in the district town’s Boro Bazar area. Around 200 tonnes of dried fish are bought and sold at 12 stalls in the market during the season, with an estimated value of Tk 9 crore.
The information was gathered through conversations with traders and fishermen at the wholesale market on Thursday.
Yusuf Ali brought two maunds (80kg) of dried fish from Gujadia area of Karimganj on Thursday morning. He sold the fish at Tk 25,000 per maund.
More than 50 fishermen carrying sacks of dried fish were seen at the market on Thursday. Piles of dried fish lined the road in front of the shops, extending as far as Bora Bazar Bridge.
Fishermen and traders from different upazilas of Kishoreganj, as well as Netrokona, Habiganj, Sunamganj and other districts, brought dried fish to the market.
According to traders, prices vary depending on the size of the fish. Some varieties sell for Tk 18,000 per maund (40kg), while others fetch Tk 25,000. Larger dried fish have sold for as much as Tk 35,000 per maund.
Suruj Mia and Abdur Rahman, from Bhati Baratia area of Nikli upazila in Kishoreganj, brought 15 maunds of dried fish to the market on Thursday. They were asking Tk 20,000 per maund but were unwilling to sell at a lower price.
Mizanur Rahman, from Madan in Sunamganj Sadar upazila, brought 16 maunds of dried fish, while Alimul Mia from the same area brought six maunds. Traders offered Tk 25,000 per maund, but the two fishermen refused to sell, insisting on Tk 28,000.
Aziz Khan Joy, from South Sunamganj, brought 15 maunds of relatively large dried fish and sold them for Tk 35,000 per maund.
Shop owner Md Mustafa said at least 12 shops operate in the market, where around 150 tonnes of dried fish are traded during the season.
He said he alone purchases at least 150 maunds of dried fish, which he then supplies to chapa producers.
According to people involved in the trade, chapa is prepared using a traditional fermentation process. Dried fish is packed tightly into large earthen pots, sealed airtight and buried underground for at least six months.
The fermentation process produces the moist, pungent delicacy, which is then taken out and sold to consumers.
Chapa sells for Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500 per kilogram. Traders also said that chapa produced in Kishoreganj is exported abroad.
Kishoreganj District Fisheries Officer Md Shahidul Islam told The New Nation that, according to data submitted to the Fisheries Department last year, 61 tonnes of dried fish were produced locally in the district.
However, dried fish is also brought to Kishoreganj from Sunamganj, Habiganj, Netrokona and Brahmanbaria for trading. As a result, the total volume of dried fish traded in the district is substantially higher than local production.