Cox's Bazar:Dry fish production has surged along the coastal areas of Cox's Bazar following the lifting of a 22-day fishing ban on October 29. Producers are optimistic about achieving a production value of approximately Tk 500 crore this season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the district's largest dry fish production hub, Nazirartek, consists of 18 villages under Wards 1 and 2 of Cox's Bazar municipality. It houses around 600 drying yards, known locally as mahals. Additional production sites include Teknaf, Saint Martin's Island, Maheshkhali, and Sonadia Islands. More than 800 drying yards across the district are currently yielding over 150 metric tonnes of dry fish daily. Traders anticipate reaching the Tk 500 crore target if weather conditions remain stable.
During a visit to Niamat Enterprise in Nazirartek, about 30 workers, including nine women, were observed processing fish. Worker Sabekunnahar noted the increase in production momentum since the fishing ban was lifted. At Kamal Traders, nearby, about 50 maunds of dry fish were in stock, according to worker Mamunul Haque, who highlighted increased winter demand for dry fish.
Md Alam, owner of Alam Enterprise, mentioned that workers are busy from 600 am until evening. The influx of tourists to Cox's Bazar, who often purchase dry fish to take home, has further boosted demand. Traders purchase fresh catches from fishing boats, clean and sun-dry the fish on bamboo racks. The varieties processed include Bombay duck, ribbonfish, jewfish, croaker, phaisa, pomfret, among others.
Women play a crucial role in the workforce, with many relying solely on dry fish processing for their livelihood. Worker Rokeya Begum, supporting her three children, has been engaged in this work for several years due to household financial needs.
Trader Mostafa Sarwar noted that approximately 15,000 to 20,000 workers are employed in the sector. Despite currently low fish supplies, his business has already achieved sales of Tk 1 crore this season. Aman Ullah, a drying yard owner, commented on the higher prices for newly produced dry fish compared to older stocks, with price differences ranging from Tk 100 to Tk 300 per kilogram. He expects production to continue until May.
Neyamat Ullah, president of the Nazirartek Dry Fish Traders Cooperative Society, reported that around 30 truckloads of dry fish, each carrying 12 to 13 tonnes, were dispatched to Chattogram in the past five days. He attributed significant price increases to the rising cost of raw fish, with market prices varying from Tk 300 to Tk 3,700 per kilogram, and retail prices Tk 50 to Tk 200 higher.
District Fisheries Officer Md Nazmul Huda stated that the district produced 39,500 metric tonnes of dry fish in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with a target of 42,000 tonnes set for 2026-27. He expressed confidence in surpassing the target. Abdul Shukkur, president of the Bangladesh Dry Fish Exporters Association, mentioned that last year's exports to Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia generated nearly Tk 200 crore. Export earnings could potentially reach Tk 300 crore this year under favorable conditions.
Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, former president of the Cox's Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that the district produced dry fish worth around Tk 400 crore last year. He remains hopeful that production will near Tk 500 crore this season, while efforts continue to ensure a chemical-free dry fish supply.