Freshwater Fish Prices Remain Steady in NCR, Assures BFAR

The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has provided a reassuring update on the stability of freshwater fish prices in the National Capital Region (NCR). According to their latest report, the market retail prices for staple varieties like bangus (milkfish) and tilapia have maintained a steady rate, countering concerns over fluctuating seafood costs.

This news comes as a relief, especially after recent reports from the DA highlighting a P30 per kilo increase in the prices of freshwater fish due to a dip in the supply of saltwater fish during the closed fishing season. However, DA-BFAR’s meticulous monitoring across over 10 major retail markets reveals a stable price trend: medium-sized bangus, primarily sourced from Bulacan and Pangasinan, are retailing at P180 per kilo, while medium-sized tilapia from Batangas and Pampanga are fetching P120 per kilo.

Adding to the positive outlook, the bureau noted a decrease in farmgate prices for tilapia, now ranging between P85 and P88, down from the previous week’s P90 to P93. This dip in prices underscores a period of stability and sufficiency in the supply from farms, mitigating any significant price hikes in the retail sector.

“The DA-BFAR did not observe a fluctuation in the prevailing retail prices of bangus and tilapia. The prices of these fisheries commodities have remained stable since the previous weeks due to sufficient supply from farms,” the bureau affirmed in their statement.

Furthermore, DA-BFAR anticipates an increase in the supply of local-fresh galunggong (round scad) in the markets, coinciding with the conclusion of the closed fishing season in Palawan, a key source for this type of fish. This development is expected to contribute positively to market supplies and price stability.

The bureau reassured the public of their ongoing commitment to monitoring market prices and supply levels in partnership with other relevant agencies. This vigilance aims to ensure that fish commodities remain both affordable and abundant for consumers in Metro Manila.

In line with these efforts, the DA has expressed its objective to bring the prices of staple fish like tilapia and bangus back to a more affordable range of P50 to P70 per kilo, reflecting the administration’s dedication to maintaining price stability and food security in the region.