Bangus, tilapia prices up by as much as P30/kilo —DA monitoring

Prices of freshwater fish have increased by as much as P30 per kilo, based on the monitoring of the Department of Agriculture (DA). 

From P150 to P220 on January 15, bangus prices have gone up to as high as P250 per kilo. Meanwhile, tilapia prices now peak at P170 per kilo, higher compared to the P110 to P160 price two weeks ago. 

According to Asis Perez, Tugon Kabuhayan co-convenor, the low supply of saltwater fish has pushed for higher demand for freshwater fish. 

"Pagka kasi full moon... during that period of time mababa talaga yung huli ng isda natin na alat. Pababa 'yung kanilang isda na alat so siyempre 'yun naman 'yung pagkakataon ng aquaculture na nabebenta 'yung produkto nila at wala silang kalaban sa merkado so naturally prices will adjust," Perez said on Tuesday.

(When there's full moon, there's low catch of saltwater fish, so traders of freshwater fish take this as a chance to adjust their prices since they have ample supply.)

Supply of local round scad or galunggong also remains low, said Perez.

"Closed fishing season 'yun galunggong natin at wala tayong masyadong supply ng galunggong kaya 'yun yung dahilan siguro kaya medyo mataas," perez said. 

(We have limited supply of galunggong because of the closed fishing season, so that must be the reason why galunggong prices are somewhat high.)

The DA earlier said the government is aiming to bring back bangus prices to P50 to P70 per kilo. —KBK, GMA Integrated News