The fresh fish market is currently experiencing tighter supply and higher prices, industry leaders said, as the country emerges from the closed fishing season and cold weather continues to limit catches.

Jonjon Santos, president of the Association of Fresh Fish Traders of the Philippines Inc., explained that the seasonal ban on commercial fishing from November to February has significantly reduced the volume of fish arriving in local markets. “Because we just came out of the closed fishing season, the volume of fish is still very low. Supply has not yet returned to normal levels,” he said.

Cold weather has also affected supply, Santos added, noting that fishing boats are only now beginning to resume operations. “It is still very cold, and boats are only now starting to head out for fishing this February,” he explained.

Prices to start to drop in March

Santos expects prices to ease once production returns in March. “Once production picks up in March, prices will start to drop,” he said.

During the peak months of March to May, the average wholesale price of galunggong (scad) typically falls between P60 and P80 per kilo, while retail prices range from P150 to P200 per kilo. Santos warned that supply may worsen again during the “ber” months, when production traditionally declines.