Hatiya's Economy

Agriculture and fishing anchor Hatiya's economy: census data put agriculture as the main income source for about 65% of households, with commerce (roughly 12%) and services (around 4%) making up most of the rest. Fisheries are unusually important for an upazila this size — both marine fishing in the Bay of Bengal, especially hilsa, and inland fishing in the rivers and canals that cut through the char land.

Betel nut, coconut, banana, betel leaf, chilli and rice are the main agricultural exports off the island, moving to the mainland by the same launches and sea trucks that carry passengers. A natural gas field was discovered within Char King union, adding a small energy-sector dimension to an economy otherwise built almost entirely on land and water.