Bangus, or milkfish, is becoming harder to find and more expensive at the Magsaysay Fish Market, with traders and consumers alike scrambling to get their hands of the fish that, sometimes, sells out in under an hour.

For nearly a month, vendors and growers have observed the same trend, low supply and fast sales.

“Nagkaka-short talaga sa supplies ngayon. Kaunti talaga ang bangus,” Beth de Vera, a bangus grower, said.

As a result, prices have climbed to P170 to P200 per kilo.

“Mataas ngayon, nasa P195 hanggang P200 talaga. Kasing kaunti ang supply,” Geraldine Gonzales, a buyer, said.

However, the Samahan ng mga Magbabangus sa Pangasinan (SAMAPA) insists there is no shortage, only a shift in market distribution.

Much of the supply, they say, is being transported to Metro Manila where prices are higher.

“They opt to sell or dalhin sa Navotas at Malabon kasi mas maganda ang presyuhan doon. Dito kasi sa atin, medyo mababa ang presyo,” Aldo Sibayan, president of SAMAPA, said.

Sibayan also noted that the high demand for bangus is due in part to rising pork and chicken prices, making bangus the more affordable protein.

Traders hope that prices will stabilize by the time the “Ber” months arrive, as harvest volumes increase and supply chains adjust.