Rising Fuel Prices Hike Fish Transport Costs

The recent surge in fuel prices and supply shortages in Bangladesh has prompted an immediate increase in transport fares for fish-carrying trucks traveling from Mymensingh to Dhaka. As Mymensingh serves as a primary hub for the country’s aquaculture, industry stakeholders warn that these rising logistical costs will inevitably impact retail fish prices in the capital’s markets.

Revised Fuel Price Structure

The government has implemented a significant price hike across all major fuel categories. Effective from last Sunday, the new rates per litre are as follows:

Mymensingh’s Contribution to National Fisheries

Data from the District Fisheries Officer’s terminal report for the 2024-25 fiscal year underscores the regional importance of this sector. Mymensingh produced a record 418,645 tonnes of fish, accounting for approximately 12% of the national total. This yield is generated from 33,460 hectares of water bodies, with Bhaluka and Trishal sub-districts leading in production. At an average market rate of 300 BDT per kilogram, the total valuation of the district’s output is estimated at 12,560 crore BDT.

Impact on Transport Logistics

On Monday morning, transport operations along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway reflected the growing tension within the logistics sector. In Trishal, specifically near Kazir Shimla High School, truck drivers voiced their concerns regarding the operational sustainability of their routes.

Dulal Mia, a local truck driver, noted that before the current global instability, the fare for transporting fish to Karwan Bazar or Jatrabari ranged between 8,000 and 10,000 BDT. Due to prior supply issues and long queues at filling stations, this had already risen to 11,000 BDT. With the latest 15 BDT per litre increase in diesel, he stated that fares must rise by at least another 1,000 BDT starting Tuesday.

Another driver, Suman Mia, who has operated for 15 years, highlighted the hidden costs of the fuel crisis. Beyond the price hike, drivers frequently wait for hours at pumps or pay premiums of 200 to 300 BDT to secure fuel. Veteran driver Md. Mostafa from Churkhai calculated that a single trip to Karwan Bazar requires roughly 70 litres of diesel. Under the new pricing, the direct fuel cost per trip increases by more than 1,000 BDT, necessitating a fare adjustment.

Market and Stakeholder Response

Mosharraf Hossain, owner of Sadique Fish House in Trishal, manages shipments to various hubs, including Karwan Bazar, Jatrabari, Rampura, Gabtoli, and Narayanganj. He confirmed that truck owners have already requested higher fares following the dispatch of seven trucks on Sunday. Stakeholders are scheduled to meet to negotiate a balanced fare structure to mitigate losses for both producers and transporters. However, Hossain acknowledged that the ultimate burden of these increased overheads will likely fall on the end consumers, as fish prices at the retail level are expected to rise accordingly.