Fish scales are bringing in dollars: New horizons for Bangladesh’s economy

Bangladesh’s fisheries sector has long been one of the country’s main sources of foreign exchange earnings. However, now there is talk of a new possibility – fish scales are bringing in dollars. What was once thrown away as waste has now become the country’s new export product.
Thousands of tons of fish are processed every day in coastal areas, including Khulna, Jessore, Satkhira, and Barisal. The fish scales produced in that process are now being used to make cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, clothing, and even medical cell tissues. On the one hand, this is making waste management easier, and on the other hand, it is opening up new avenues for export income for Bangladesh.
In this report, learn how fish scales are bringing in dollars, where its demand is increasing, and why businessmen are becoming optimistic about investing in this sector.

Fish scales: Transforming waste into valuable assets

More than 4,000 tons of fish are processed every day in Bangladesh. Previously, these fish scales were dumped in rivers or on the ground, which was one of the causes of environmental pollution. Now that waste is being processed into exportable products.

Main uses:

• Collagen production: Used in cosmetics and skin care products.
• Fish leather: Popular in making fashion items, including shoes, bags, and wallets.
• Biomedical research: Used in making surgical threads and artificial skin.
• Feed production: Can also be used as an ingredient in fish and poultry feed.

Thus, fish scales are not only emerging as an industrial material but also as a major catalyst for the formation of a green economy.

Read more:-Multibagger stocks with potential under Rs 10: SFL bags export orders worth crores from Singapore

Demand is growing in the international market

The demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials is increasing worldwide. The market for fish-scale collagen products in Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the United States is now worth more than a billion dollars.

Bangladeshi businessmen have already started exporting fish scales to China, Japan, and South Korea. Fiber is purchased for 60 to 80 taka per kg and the export price after processing stands at around 8 to 10 dollars.

Current status of exports:

• About 10 companies in the Khulna region are regularly collecting fiber.
• About 1,000 workers are directly or indirectly involved in this work locally.
• 20-30 tons of fiber are being exported abroad every month.

In this way, fish fiber is bringing in dollars, which is developing as a new sector in the country’s economy, although small.

Why are traders optimistic

Preparations are currently underway to set up a collagen production factory in the country. This will make it possible to add more value by processing the fiber locally.

Reasons for traders’ optimism:

• Low production costs: Since fish fiber is mainly waste, the cost of raw materials is almost zero.
• Stable foreign demand: The use of fish collagen in health and beauty products is increasing.
• Eco-friendly initiatives: Reduce waste in the environment and help in sustainable development.
• Export diversification: A new export sector is emerging after the garment industry.

An official of the Bangladesh Fish Processors Association said, “We are already getting a good response in the international market. In the future, it is possible to export $50 million annually from this sector.”

A step towards an eco-friendly economy

The concept of “waste to wealth” is popular all over the world today. The huge amount of scales and waste generated every day in Bangladesh’s fish processing industry, if properly utilized, will be beneficial for both the environment and the economy.

Environmental benefits:

• Water pollution is reduced.
• The spread of bad odor and germs is prevented.
• Sustainable production increases through waste recycling.

Through this initiative, Bangladesh is taking a big step not only economically, but also towards building an eco-friendly industry.

Challenges and prospects

Although the sector has potential, some challenges remain-

• Processing technology is still limited.
• There is a lack of quality control.
• The certification process for entering the international market is complicated.

However, if the government and private investment work together, this sector can quickly become one of the country’s export powers.

The new addition to Bangladesh’s fisheries sector—fish scales bringing in dollars—is now showing a ray of hope for the country’s economy. By transforming waste into wealth, this sector is not only taking the country towards sustainable development in terms of business but also in terms of the environment.
If more initiatives can be taken to expand technology and markets, then in the future, this sector will become another proud name in exports after the garment industry.