The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said prices of fish are likely to decrease in the coming weeks following the lifting of the closed fishing season for round scad (galungggong) in Northern Palawan.
The agency also expects that this will result in a boost in supply for round scad in the local market, BFAR Chief Public information Officer Nazzer Briguera, said.
As of the latest price monitoring of the Department of Agriculture, local round scad retails at P200 to P320 per kilo, while imported round scad sells for P180 to P260.
Asis Perez, former national director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and noe co-convenor of the livelihood advocacy group Tugon said that the lower price of round scad could also have a domino effect on other agricultural commodities.
Briguera, however, said it would take some time before the fresh catch reaches the market.
“We need to consider these are large commercial fishing vessels which will go to Palawan so it would take days,” the official, quoted by GMA News, said.
While imported galunggong is currently still being sold in some markets, BFAR said it will not compete with local harvest.
Meanwhile, the farmgate price of small eggs has gone down to as low as P4 amid the dip in demand and increased supply, according to the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA).
PEBA Chairman Gregorio San Diego said farm gate prices of medium eggs range from P5 to P6, while small eggs are priced at P4 each, adding that there is a slight oversupply.
Based on the recent price monitoring of the Department of Agriculture, retail prices for medium-sized eggs range from 6.80 to 8.50 in some markets in Metro Manila.
Egg wholesalers in Cavite St. in Blumenttrit, Manila reported up to 20 pesos decrease in price of eggs per tray. Medium sized eggs, meanwhile, are now being sold at 160 per tray, large size at 180, and extra large sizes at 210 per tray.
Egg wholesalers in Cavite St. in Blumenttrit, Manila have reported up to P20 decrease in the price of eggs per tray. Medium-sized eggs, meanwhile, are now being sold at P160, large eggs at P180, and extra-large eggs at P210 per tray.