Chittagong: The production of dried fish from raw fish is progressing in full swing in various fish villages across different upazilas of the district.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the growth of dried fish villages in Chattogram is attributed to affordable labor and convenient waterway transportation.
Traders have noted that the popularity and demand for dried fish from Chattogram have spread not only within the country but also to various landlocked countries around the world. The dried fish from Chattogram, found along the banks of the Karnaphuli River and other rivers as well as the Bay of Bengal, is highly regarded in different districts of Bangladesh and in several foreign countries, particularly in the Middle East and other non-coastal regions.
A thriving dried fish industry has emerged in Chattogram, with one of the main hubs located along the banks of the Karnaphuli River. Workers in areas such as Baklia, Ichanagar, Dangarchar, Karnaphuli Ghat, and Juldha riverbank are involved in the process of transforming fresh fish into dried fish, traders reported. Fisherman Md Harun mentioned that fish caught by fishermen from the deep sea near Kutubdia, Cox's Bazar, and Teknaf in the Bay of Bengal are brought to the banks of the Karnaphuli. Dried fish villages have also emerged in various unions of Banskhali and Anwara upazilas in the district.
Worker Md Munna highlighted the bustling trade of dried fish in the Chaktai dried fish market in Chattogram. He explained that raw fish are arranged in rows on scaffolding and left to dry in the sun. Various types of dried fish are produced in different dried fish villages in the area. Md Selim, a salesman from Asadgonj Chukti village, shared that the demand for dried fish is nationwide, with significant demand for various species such as churi, fishy, shark, bylya, popa, chanda bylya, tikka, flying, and coral fish. The most expensive dried fish varieties are laksa and rupchanda. Workers are actively involved in drying different types of fish every day, providing employment to thousands of people.
The winter season in the dried fish villages of Chattogram is bustling with activity, according to Selim. Mohammad Ali, the former president of the Dry Fish Traders Association in Chaktai, mentioned that October, November, and December are the prime months for converting raw fish into chutki. The process of converting raw fish into dried fish is in full swing in Baklia, Ichanagar, Dangarchar, Karnaphuli Ghat, and Juldha-the key dry fish villages of the country-thanks to improved communication facilities. Ali noted that many individuals are attracted to this business due to its profitability. The demand for dried fish has surged both domestically and internationally.
Ali further stated that in 1980, dried fish production was limited to Bangladesh, but now several coastal countries are also producing dried fish. Domestic dried fish is exported to countries like Dubai and Saudi Arabia. During the dry season, the highest amount of dried fish is produced. In Chattogram, there are 43 warehouses dedicated to storing dried fish. Traders from all over the country come to Asadganj to purchase dried fish in bulk or retail.
Minnat Ali, a dried fish exporter, noted that while the demand for dried fish in the country has risen, production levels have not kept pace. Consequently, dried fish is being imported from neighboring countries. Various types of dried fish, such as shrimp, ai, poa, gulsha, bain, nala, patra, and faisya, are among the imports. Imported dried fish must be stored in cold storage to prevent insect infestation.