BFAR scrambling to lower galunggong prices

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is now working to lower prices of round scad or galunggong, dubbed as the "poor man's fish," which have surged to as high as P240 per kilogram.

Data from the price monitoring of the Department of Agriculture (DA) shows that prevailing prices of galunggong -- both local and imported -- are at P240 per kilogram as of March 10, 2021.

This compares with the average price of P190.43 per kilogram for local and P200.00 per kilogram for the imported as of March 10, 2020.

Prices of galunggong for both periods were way above the P140 per kilogram suggested retail price for the imported variety set by the DA in November last year, amid increases in prices of agricultural goods.

"Galunggong prices are still high but we expect within the month, bababa na ho 'yan kasi open season is just starting in northern Palawan as well as Zamboanga," a representative from BFAR, who was not identified and did not identify himself, said in a congressional hearing.

The representative also noted that the supplies from the open season will be complemented by imports, which are likely to bring down prices to P160 to P180 per kilogram.

The BFAR is mandated to take responsibility for the development, improvement, management, and conservation of the country's fishery and aquatic resources.

According to the latest data available from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the value of galunggong production was recorded at P2.317 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020 to bring the full-year production at P13.606 billion. However, growth slowed to 7.0% in 2020 versus the 9.5% recorded in the previous year. -MDM, GMA News