Local buyers in Dagupan continue to feel the pinch as the price of fresh galunggong rises anew, pushing many households to shift to cheaper fish options.

At the Magsaysay Fish Market, vendors struggle to sell local galunggong due to low supply and higher wholesale costs. Most stalls now carry frozen and imported fish, which are more available but still not the first choice of many consumers.

Local galunggong now sells for ₱180 to ₱240 per kilo, depending on size. This is ₱20 higher than the previous week.

Mary Grace Oxino, who sells galunggong at the market, said the high price has slowed her sales down.

“Yung lokal naman, ma’am, mataas kaya hindi nila marating. Talagang mahirap din yung bentahan ngayon,” she said.

Some buyers now opt for cheaper choices like tilapia and bangus.

“Okay naman po, mas mura kaysa sa amin,” Nathalia De Vera, a customer, said.

“Yung hinahanap po kasi ng mga tao ngayon ay yung pang-masa. Ayaw nila ng galunggong kasi sobrang mahal,” Cheryl De Guzman, another customer, added.

According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), the amihan season has affected galunggong catch greatly.

“’Yung hulian na area, konti ang nahuhuli pa eh so ‘yun ang isang problem kaya medyo mataas ang presyo,” SINAG chair Rosendo So said.

Imported galunggong, meanwhile, now costs ₱200 to ₱230 per kilo, down by ₱20 compared to the previous week.

But the relief may be short-lived. So warned that prices could still increase as colder weather may push fish into deeper waters.

“Itong weather natin, medyo malamig so baka mas malalim sila nag-aano (lumalangoy) ‘yung mga isda (galunggong),” he said.

Market watchers advise consumers to expect possible price changes in the coming weeks.