The dry fish processing village in Chithalia village under Pirojpur Sadar upazila has emerged as a vibrant centre of economic activity, shaped by its close proximity to rivers and the sea. Along the banks of the Kocha River, rows of bamboo racks, the distinct aroma of drying fish, and the constant movement of workers create a bustling scene throughout the day. With the arrival of winter, the small settlement comes fully alive. Each year, more than 100 tonnes of dry fish are produced here, with an estimated market value of nearly Tk 50 million.
Due to the close location of the river and the Bay of Bengal, a fisheries port has developed at Parerhat in the upazila. Adjacent to the port, the dry fish processing village has grown in Chithalia, where marine fish collected from the port are processed into dry fish. The dry fish trade remains active from the month of Agrahayan through Falgun.
A visit to the area shows that the dry fish village consists of five homesteads located along the Kocha River, south of the Parerhat fisheries port. The operations are managed by five to seven traders, while between 150 and 200 workers are employed on a daily and monthly wage basis.
During the peak season, workers remain busy throughout the day. Some collect fish from the Parerhat port, remove the entrails, and wash them thoroughly. Others cut larger fish into pieces, while another group mixes salt and water before spreading the fish on bamboo racks for drying. Once dried, the fish are packed into sacks and stored in homes in preparation for shipment.
Traders said that 30 to 35 species of fish are processed into dry fish at the village, including coral, loitta, chhuri, chital, haita, marma, dhela, modhu fapsa, and chapila. Depending on quality, dry fish sells for between Tk 600 and Tk 2,000 per kilogram. Annual production exceeds 100 tonnes, generating a market value of approximately Tk 50 million.
District Fisheries Officer Sanjib Sannamat said dry fish production continues for nearly four months from the onset of winter. He added that the processing method used in the village is safe and monitored by the government. According to him, the Department of Fisheries has brought those involved in dry fish processing under training programmes, and a proposal has been made for a project titled Dry Fish Development Initiative. Once implemented, monitoring will be strengthened, and dry fish produced in the area will be able to reach markets across the country and be exported.
