Seafood prices seen to spike during Holy Week due to increased demand

Seafood prices are expected to rise temporarily during Holy Week, driven by increased demand as many Filipino Catholics abstain from meat in observance of religious tradition.

According to the Department of Agriculture’s price monitoring from 7 to 12 April, the average market price for a medium-sized bangus is P200 per kilogram, local galunggong at P256, and medium-sized alumahan at P312. The highest average price recorded among seafood products is squid (Pusit Bisaya), which reached P402 per kilogram.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa acknowledged the likely spike in seafood prices, particularly on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. However, he emphasized that this increase will be short-lived, lasting only three to five days.

While the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently reported that overall food inflation eased to 2.3 percent in March 2025 from 2.6 percent in February, prices in certain categories—including fish and other seafood—have climbed. Seafood inflation rose from 2.9 percent to 5.5 percent, making it one of the fastest-rising food categories last month.