Freshwater fish market thrives at Sonargaon’s Baidyer Bazar
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Activity begins on both banks of the Meghna River at the crack of dawn. Drowning out the sound of the river waves, the shouting of fishermen and the noise of boat and trawler engines can be heard.
Before the sun rises, the freshwater fish market gathers at Baidyer Bazar Ghat in Sonargaon, Narayanganj. Locally known as Baidyer Bazar Fishery Ghat, the market is also recognized as a large wholesale depot for small fish.
The buying and selling of fish starts from early morning every day. Fishermen bring fish in boats and trawlers from the Meghna River and surrounding areas. Later, wholesalers and traders buy those fish through auction or bidding. The fish then goes to markets in various areas, including Dhaka, Narayanganj, Cumilla, and Araihazar.
On-site observation shows that fishermen start bringing fish to the ghat even before the light of dawn breaks. Some are unloading fish from boats, while others are bargaining to buy fish in the auction.
The entire ghat becomes bustling with the shouts of buyers and sellers and people running around with fish baskets. The demand for the indigenous small fish of the Meghna is highest in this market. Various types of fish are available, including shrimp, baim, poa, kajli, kachki, mola, tengra, pabda, meni, baila, puti, koi, shing, and tekchanda.
Alongside these, large fish like rui, katla, ayre, baghair, hilsa, boal, and chital are also sold. Safayat Ali, who came from Mirpur, Dhaka to buy fish, said, “I came to buy fish from here while visiting a relative’s house. The fish of Baidyer Bazar is very fresh and delicious. Especially, everyone in my family likes small fish.”
Khokon, a wholesale fish seller from Jatrabari, Dhaka, added, “The demand for Meghna’s small fish is very high in Dhaka. Many buyers place orders in advance. After buying the fish at auction, it is sent to different markets.”
Tapan Sutradhar, a fish trader at Baidyer Bazar Ghat, mentioned that fishermen from various areas, including Cumilla’s Meghna, Araihazar, and Nunertek of Sonargaon, bring fish here. He claimed that small and large fish worth an average of Tk 25 lakh are sold daily at this ghat.
Sonargaon Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Mahmuda Akhtar said, “The reputation of Baidyer Bazar’s fish has spread to Dhaka and surrounding areas as well. Especially, the demand for Meghna’s small fish is high. Various support and financial grants are being provided to the fishermen here by the government.”
