Fish, a key element of daily life in West Bengal, has become a central topic in the state’s election discussions. During a public address on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the administration led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not ensuring adequate local fish supplies. He highlighted that despite high demand, the state lacks self-reliance in fish farming and depends on supplies from elsewhere.
Modi’s comments aimed to challenge Banerjee’s leadership while addressing claims that his party opposes non-vegetarian diets. He stated that West Bengal’s demand for fish exceeds its production, leading to imports from other regions. He noted that after 15 years in power, the ruling party has failed to provide sufficient fish to residents.
The prime minister emphasized the cultural importance of fish in Bengali society. He compared the situation to Bihar and Assam, which previously imported fish but have now achieved independence by increasing output significantly.
Banerjee responded promptly at her own campaign event, asserting that the state no longer imports fish from Andhra Pradesh as it did in the past. She claimed that 80 percent of the fish consumed in West Bengal is now produced locally and urged others not to question the state’s capabilities.
The exchange has sparked online discussions about the accuracy of these statements. West Bengal ranks as India’s second-largest fish producer, following Andhra Pradesh, with an annual output of about 23.74 lakh tonnes, representing roughly 12 percent of the national total. Approximately 80 percent of the state’s residents eat fish.
Despite this, official records indicate West Bengal imports considerable amounts of fish. Parliamentary responses show imports from African countries such as Mauritania and Uganda to satisfy demand. From April to November in the 2025-2026 period, the state brought in frozen tilapia, shrimp, hilsa, and catfish valued at $5.33 million from Mauritania and $0.11 million from Uganda.
Hilsa, a prized variety, traditionally comes from Bangladesh’s Padma River and local waterways. Bangladesh imposed an export ban in 2012 but has since provided limited quantities annually as a diplomatic gesture. Last year, amid strained relations following a government change in Bangladesh, West Bengal obtained a large supply from Gujarat. Banerjee mentioned during her speech that hilsa is now plentiful in the state and highlighted a new research facility in Diamond Harbour focused on hilsa cultivation.
Within India, West Bengal sources fish from states like Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar, according to commerce ministry data. These imports have been reducing over time: 1.51 lakh metric tonnes in 2022-23, 1.36 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24, and 1.22 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25.
Although West Bengal produces a substantial share of India’s fish, it continues to import to meet needs, with volumes decreasing steadily. The ongoing political rivalry between the ruling party and the opposition over this issue is likely to persist through the election period.
