, Oct. 18 -- Once a weekly staple, the prized national fish hilsa has now become a luxury for many, with its price surging by nearly 50 percent over the past year amid rising market costs.

A recent survey by the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) revealed that between August and September alone, hilsa prices surged by Tk 200-500 per kg, with large specimens sometimes fetching an astonishing Tk 1,000 increase.

Last August, a 1.5 kg hilsa sold for a maximum of Tk 2,000 per kg; by 2025, the same fish now commands Tk 3,000, reflecting a sharp 50 percent spike in just twelve months.

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