MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday advised consumers to consider more affordable fish options amid a tight global supply of galunggong (round scad), which has pushed retail prices higher in local markets.
Data from the Department of Agriculture’s Bantay Presyo monitoring showed that as of Monday, imported galunggong in Metro Manila was priced between PHP280 and PHP350 per kilogram, while locally sourced galunggong ranged from PHP300 to PHP400 per kilogram.
In an ambush interview, the agriculture chief said the limited arrivals of round scad from major sources have driven prices upward.
“It’s really a supply and demand situation. If supply is scarce, prices will increase,” he said in Filipino.
“I’m not saying prices will go down soon. If it’s too expensive, you can opt for chicken instead.”
He also mentioned other fish alternatives for buyers, considering the high retail price of round scad.
“We still have milkfish, tilapia, let’s not forget our own,” Tiu Laurel said.
Besides galunggong, the DA also logged elevated prices for mackerel or alumahan, which range from PHP300 per kg to PHP450 per kg.
Tiu Laurel, however, expects prices to decline to around PHP230 to PHP250 per kg once delayed import shipments, affected by recent weather disturbances in the Philippines and China, arrive.
Of the 55,000 metric tons of approved fish import volume, only 30 percent has entered the country so far.
He said the agency will revoke unused sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) from non-utilizing importers and reallocate them to those with higher utilization rates. To date, only 70 percent of issued SPSICs have been used. (PNA)