DA's Laurel says price of galunggong to decrease by March

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Tuesday that the price of local galunggong (mackerel scad) could go down by March.

At a Palace press briefing, Laurel was asked if the price of galunggong will decrease in the next few months.

''The answer there is yes. But in March, ang talagang season ng Pilipinas sa galunggong catching is March, April, May, June. Iyong lifting ng end by February, mahina pa iyong huli niyan. But by March, I expect bababa ang presyo,'' Laurel said.

Laurel said the price could be P130 to P150 per kilo in March.

Currently, a kilo of local galunggong costs P220 to 280, while imported ones cost P220 to 260.

Early reports said the local variety of the fish was unavailable at the Commonwealth Market and Mega Q Mart in Quezon City based on the monitoring conducted by the DA.

The situation was also similar at the Quinta Market, Pasay Market, and Guadalupe Market.—RF, GMA Integrated News