BFAR Anticipates Fish Price Drop with Resumption of Round Scad Fishing in Northern Palawan

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) predicts a downward trend in fish prices in the upcoming weeks, following the end of the closed fishing season for round scad (galunggong) in Northern Palawan. This anticipated resumption in fishing activity is expected to inject a substantial volume of round scad into the local markets, thereby potentially reducing fish prices.

BFAR’s Chief Public Information Officer Nazzer Briguera highlighted the positive impact of increased fish availability on market prices. He stated, “‘When there’s a variety of fish available in the market and the supply is abundant, it generally leads to a reduction in price.”

Current price monitoring data from the Department of Agriculture indicates that local round scad is retailing at 200 to 320 pesos per kilo, while the price for imported round scad ranges from 180 to 260 pesos. However, with the anticipated increase in the local catch, these prices are likely to adjust downward.

Asis Perez, co-convenor of Tugon, pointed out the broader implications of this price drop, suggesting that an abundant supply of round scad could also influence the prices of other agricultural commodities. “If there’s really a substantial amount of fish, it can even affect the price of meat to a certain extent,” Perez noted.

However, Briguera cautioned that it might take some time for the fresh catch to impact the market prices. He explained the logistics involved, stating, “We need to consider that these are large commercial fishing vessels heading to Palawan, so it will also take days for them to reach the destination, catch the fish, and then return.”

While imported round scad continues to be available in some markets, BFAR emphasized that it would not overshadow the local harvest. Briguera clarified, “These are part of our previous imports, but this is understandable since the fishing season has just reopened. We expect these stocks to be sold out before the local catch starts arriving.”

With the reopening of the fishing season for round scad in Northern Palawan, consumers and traders alike are keenly watching the market trends, anticipating a favorable shift in fish prices and its cascading effects on the overall agricultural market.