Fisheries and Livestock Affairs Adviser Farida Akhter has acknowledged that although the peak hilsa season is currently underway in Bangladesh, the popular fish remains too expensive for the average consumer.

She made these remarks during a press briefing held at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Monday (July 21), marking the upcoming observance of National Fisheries Week 2025, scheduled to run from July 22 to 28 across the country.

The adviser stated that this year, 16 individuals and organizations—including fish farmers, entrepreneurs, and groups contributing to the fisheries sector—will be honored with the National Fisheries Award for their contributions.

Highlighting the current abundance of hilsa, Farida Akhter mentioned that total production could reach up to 545,000 metric tons this year. However, she admitted that the pricing of hilsa remains a challenge, with one-kilogram fish currently selling at around 2,500 BDT, a rate too high for most people.

She assured that the government has taken various steps to bring prices under control so the fish can be more accessible to the public.