KUALA LUMPUR – Seafood prices, particularly for popular fish species, have experienced a decline this week in wet markets all across the Klang Valley, despite ongoing uncertainty in supplies during the monsoon season in the east coast states.
A recent survey conducted by Scoop revealed varying trends in seafood prices, where supermarket seafood sellers and customers reported fluctuating prices per kilogram over the last three weeks, while their counterparts in wet markets saw a decrease in prices.
Wet Market price decrease
Jeffrey Tan, a fish seller at Taman Tun Dr Ismail’s (TTDI) wet market, noted a significant drop in fish prices per kilogram over the past three weeks, despite the rainy season.
Tan sells approximately 20 to 50 fishes per day and noted that the demand is low, especially among the younger generation who prefer eating out over cooking at home.
“Some (fish prices have dropped) by RM2, (others) by RM5. The demand is very low. People are not eating (fish that much), and the younger generations prefer to eat outside rather than cook at home,” he explained.
Dizzy, a 57-year-old freelance marketer and wet market customer in TTDI, observed the decrease in seafood prices, mentioning a reduction of about RM3 or RM4 in the past three weeks.
He highlighted the importance of the quality and lower prices in the TTDI wet market compared to other markets.
Supermarket prices in flux
Mohamad Ershad Biswas, 29, a seafood seller at Cheras’ Pasaraya Fresh Grocer supermarket, said prices of certain fish increased, while others had decreased.
“Every day, we sell around 350 to 400 fishes of different types. The prices of fish in the past few weeks are always changing, and not stagnant,” he said.
Ershad highlighted specific changes, noting an increase of RM3 in the prices of fresh ‘Ikan Mabong’ (Indian Mackerel) and fresh ‘Udang Putih’ (Whiteleg Shrimp), now priced at RM19.90 and RM39.90, respectively.
In contrast, the price of ‘Ikan Selar’ (Scad) decreased by RM4, ‘Ikan Selar Pelata’ (Yellowtail Scad) by RM2.30, and ‘Ikan Nyok Nyok’ (Bigeye Trevally) by RM2, with current prices at RM10.90, RM11.50, and RM24.90, respectively.
Ershad’s remarks were echoed by Aida, 42, a customer at a supermarket in IOI Mall Puchong, who said that seafood prices, including ‘Ikan Tongkol’ (Mackerel or Skipjack Tuna), depended on size and type.
She pointed out the current uncertainty in seafood prices in supermarkets, comparing it to the variability in chicken prices.
“Fish prices are slightly expensive now, but other than that, I don’t look at the price much because I don’t purchase fish regularly. I am only aware of the chicken price float, as I buy more chicken instead,” she said.
Prices of chicken have generally gone down throughout supermarket chains nationwide this month, following the lifting of subsidies and price control mechanisms taking effect on November 1.
Despite the dip in chicken prices across major supermarket chains, some customers recently surveyed said they preferred “fresher” poultry products from the wet markets.
A homemaker, who only wanted to be known as Arfah, and who was shopping at a grocer in Cheras expressed concern about potential increase in current fish prices, though she admitted to focusing more on chicken, which she buys more regularly.
Recently, consumers in Terengganu experienced a 15% increase in the price of ‘ikan rakyat’ due to the monsoon season, while Kota Bharu, Kelantan saw a RM2 to RM4 drop in fish prices per kilogram due to oversupply.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced on October 13 that the government would protect fishermen, farmers, and livestock farmers facing disasters affecting their crops and livestock.
The government had also allocated a total of RM2.6 billion in subsidies and incentives for fishermen and farmers in Budget 2024. – November 16, 2023