For nearly two months, tinapa makers in Barangay Talibew, Calasiao, Pangasinan have been struggling due to a shortage of galunggong (round scad), the primary fish used for making smoked fish.

Tirso Royupa, a tinapa maker who has been in the business for over 20 years, said the usual fish supply dwindled suddenly.

“Dapat ngayong marami na eh, kaso biglang nawala, 'di natin alam kung anong nangyayari,” he said.

With the limited supply, some tinapa producers have stopped operations temporarily.

“Kung minsan sa isang linggo, wala. Kung minsan, dalawang beses lang. Walang makuha talaga eh,” Royupa said.

The shortage has also caused a price increase. Tinapa now costs P80 to P100 per bundle, up from the previous P70.

According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), the shortage is due to the off-season for catching galunggong.

They said around 25,000 metric tons of imported galunggong will soon arrive in the Philippines, stabilizing the market.

“Tingin naman natin, ma-normalize naman ‘yan in two weeks time. So, hindi ganun kaalarma ‘yung situation,” SINAG Chairman Engr. Rosendo So said.