Jagiroad Dry Fish Market

Jagiroad Dry Fish Market
A view of the Jagiroad Dry Fish Market
LocationJagiroad, Morigaon
Assam, India
Goods soldDried fish from various regions
Days normally openThursday, Friday, Saturday

Jagiroad Dry Fish Market is the largest dry fish market in Asia, located in Jagiroad, Assam. It was established in 1940.[1][2] Dried fish from this market is distributed to nearly all the North-eastern States and is also exported to Bhutan, Malaysia, and other South Asian countries.[3]

Location

It is close to the Jagiroad railway station, making it easy for vendors from places like Dimapur, Shillong, Agartala & Siliguri to do business there.[4] The location is situated at a distance of approximately 50 km from Guwahati.[5]

Product

Jagiroad is known as the hub for fish culture, hatching, and production in Assam. This market receives a variety of fish from across India, including both sea fish and freshwater fish such as barb fish (puthi maas), bamla, and misa etc. The dried fish products available are either sun-dried or smoked.[3]

Vendors in the market also offer over hundred types of dried fish, including popular ones like Goroi maas (Channa punctatus), Ari maas (Aorichthys seenghala), Puthi maas (Puntius siphore), and Rohu (Labeo rohita).[6]

The fish are preserved by drying them in the sun, a traditional method that uses wind and sunlight to remove moisture. This old technique helps keep the fish's quality and gives it a special flavor and texture that people really like.[6]

The process of dried fish includes several steps: drying, sorting, packaging, wholesaling, retailing, storing, and transporting.[7]

Trade

The supply chain of North East India revolves around the Jagiroad market.[8] The market typically operates three days a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and sells approximately 500 tons of dried fish. There are near about 200 wholesale dry fish shops which are runs by local people.[9] Around 25-30 percent of the local population depends on this market for their livelihood, directly or indirectly. The market turnover is around 40 Crore per annuum.[3]

Demand

Dried fish lasts a long time and is packed with protein, healthy fats, and minerals. Its taste and smell make it popular all over the world.[6]

Dried fish is also in high demand in China, Japan,[10] and Korea.[11] In these south Asian countries, it is used in various traditional dishes and cuisines, valued for its flavor and preservation qualities, like fish curry and spicy fish stew.

Challenges

Recently, the market has struggled because of the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) on dried fish.[12][13] Traders believe this tax is hurting their business. With higher costs and fewer imports from several areas, there are worries about whether the market can continue to operate.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Rapid expansion of dry fish market in Jagiroad causes concern". The Sentinel. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Wholesale market of dry fish at Jagiroad on the verge of closure". The Assam Tribune. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Asia's Largest Dry Fish Market: A Small Assamese Town Of Jagiroad". www.thisday.app. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Exclusive: After paper mill, Jagiroad dry fish market's fate hangs in balance". Indiatodayne. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Asia's Largest dry fish market jagiroad". Indiatodayne. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Explore the Jagiroad Dry Fish Market in Assam: Asia's largest hub for traditional sun-dried fish". India Today NE. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  7. ^ Kashyap, Dipanjan (2014). Market Analysis and Livelihood Generation. Lap Lambert Academic Publishing GmbH KG. ISBN 9783659502477.
  8. ^ Dubey, S.K.; Gogoi, K.; Belton, B. (2023). "Dried Small Indigenous Fish are the Pride of Assam: The Story of Suman Haldar". Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Global. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Asia Largest Dry Fish Market : এছিয়াৰ সৰ্ববৃহৎ শুকান মাছৰ বজাৰত এভুমুকি". Etv Bharat. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  10. ^ Itoh, Makiko (20 November 2015). "Before Japan ate raw fish, there was himono". The Japan Times. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  11. ^ Lee, Claire (19 July 2018). "[Eye Plus] Dried fish market, Korean style". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Dry-fish traders oppose GST". BusinessLine. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  13. ^ "M'luru dry fish vendors to support TN, Kerala Nov 10 strike". Deccan Herald. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  14. ^ "Plea to exempt GST on dry fish". The Hindu. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2025.