File photo

SANGSAD BHABAN, June 21, 2026 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Minister 
Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid today told parliament that Bangladesh has no shortage 
of fish and is fully self-sufficient in fish production, with annual output 
significantly exceeding domestic demand.

Responding to a starred tabled question from independent lawmaker Rumeen 
Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2), the minister said that based on fish production and 
population data for fiscal year 2024-25, the country's annual fish demand 
stands at 38.09 lakh metric tons, calculated on the basis of a per capita 
daily consumption requirement of 60 grams.

He informed the House that total fish production during the period reached 
51.11 lakh metric tons, far exceeding domestic demand.

"As a result, there is no shortage of fish in the country. Bangladesh is 
self-sufficient in fish production," the minister said.

The minister, however, noted that Bangladesh imports fish from various 
countries. During fiscal year 2023-24, the country imported 66,649 metric 
tons of fish of different species worth Tk 481 crore. In fiscal year 2024-25, 
imports amounted to 55,054 metric tons valued at Tk 475 crore.

He explained that fish imports are not required to meet the needs of ordinary 
consumers, as domestic production is sufficient. Rather, a limited quantity 
of certain special fish species is imported to cater to the tastes and 
preferences of specific consumer groups.

According to the minister, imported fish accounted for only about one percent 
of the country's total fish production in fiscal year 2024-25.

The minister said the major imported chilled and frozen fish species include 
tuna, herring, pomfret, mackerel, rita, ribbonfish, marine catfish, dorab, 
queenfish, snapper, bonito, kingfish, moonfish, niger fish, silver jewfish, 
horse mackerel, jack mackerel, lizard fish, scallops, octopus and squid, 
among others.