Fish lovers in the national Capital can now tickle their tastebuds with Hilsa fish delicacies as rates of this bony river fish have suddenly gone down in the markets. The pocket-friendly rates, which start from as low as Rs200 per kilogrammes, have turned out to be hot-sellers in the fish markets in just a span of a week.
But the savory delight is going to be short-lived as rates are expected to again rise between August and October. last week, one kg of the seasonal Hilsa fish was being sold as high as Rs1,400 in the city. But the prices have nosedived recently following enhanced catch. The price has come down to common buyers’ affordable range of even Rs200-250 a kg. Under the current rates, a big portion of the fish weighing more than one kg is priced between Rs900 and Rs1,000 against the earlier rate of Rs1,400 and above.
“The rates are less now because the supply is good and the demand is normal. At present, we are selling Hilsa fish weighing up to one kilogram and below for Rs600-700 per kg. Those weighing above one kilogram are sold approximately for Rs900-1000 per kg. The Bombay Hilsa is the cheapest as we sell it within a range of Rs200-250 per kg,” said Baljender Singh, owner of Pick Fresh Fish at INA Market.
The rates were high just weeks ago as the supply had decreased. “The supply of Hilsa fish decreases between April and July as that time is considered to be the breeding season. During that period we were selling the same fish weighing one kilogram and below at Rs900-1,000 per kg. Even the rates of Bombay fish goes up to Rs500 per kg,” added Singh.
However, with the wedding season setting in, the pocket-friendly rates are going to be short-lived as the rates are expected to soar again. “The rates will again increase from August and they shall last till October. The reason is not because of a supply shortage but because it is the Bengali wedding season. It is our time to cash in on profits as we get bulk orders,” said a fish seller at INA Market.