The scarcity of secure dry fish production technology, coupled with inadequate storage options for both raw and dried fish products, particularly during the rainy season, has posed significant challenges for dry fish entrepreneurs striving to uphold the quality of their products. In efforts to counteract potential insect infestations and spoilage of dry fish goods, certain processors resort to using chemicals and pesticides that pose risks to human health.

In response to this pressing issue, the Feed the Future Bangladesh Aquaculture and Nutrition Activity has collaborated with Shah Amanath Traders (SAT) in Cox’s Bazar to pioneer the processing, preservation and promotion of safe dry fish products. As a critical aspect of this initiative, SAT has successfully established a cutting-edge freezer facility capable of preserving approximately 12 metric tons (MT) of dried fish and 20 MT of raw fish.

The outcomes of this intervention are remarkable. SAT has not only safeguarded 7.3 MT of dried fish and 12.8 MT of raw fish, but they have also accommodated an additional 12.8 MT of dry fish products from fellow processors over the past seven months. Through the sale of these meticulously preserved, high-quality dry fish products and the provision of storage amenities to fellow processors, SAT has achieved earnings totaling Bangladeshi taka (BDT) 947,435, equivalent to $8,797.

The evident success of SAT’s cold storage facility for both raw and dried fish products has generated substantial interest among other dry fish processors, who are keen on adopting this technology to enhance their own enterprises.

Aman, proprietor of SAT says, “I am earning more profit producing and selling better quality dry fish products after establishing a freezer for storing dry fish and raw fish. I am grateful to USAID and WorldFish for their support.”