FISHERMEN’S associations and industry activists said the prices of fish in Terengganu would fluctuate depending on weather conditions and market demand, and that it was a normal thing. 

They added that changes in demand would determine whether supplies of fish were sufficient or excessive.

Terengganu Fishermen’s Association chairman Mat Yassin Mohammed said current prices of fish were low due to the dumping of existing stock.

“In September, the prices of fish fell because the catch was large, so we were able to meet the market demand.

“For example, this month, the most common fish bought by consumers, sardines, are down to RM6 per kg,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He, however, admitted that the prices of fish had generally gone up in the last two months.

Mat Yassin said he understood the complaints against high prices in one of Malaysia’s main fish supply states.

Since 2019, the prices of fish in Terengganu have increased by 30% to 80%.

According to a fishmonger at the Chabang Tiga market, who only wants to be known as Rahman, the price of puffer fish in Terengganu has reached RM22 per kg against only RM13 per kg in 2019.

He said the price of Selar fish also increased to between RM18 and RM20 per kg compared to RM13 per kg in the last five years.

Terengganu exco Azman Ibrahim said the prices of fish in the state were still cheap compared to what they would cost in Kuala Lumpur.

He recently posted on his Facebook page data from the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) that compared differences in fish prices in Terengganu, Kelantan, and Kuala Lumpur over the past five years. 

For example, LKIM data showed the price of cod in Terengganu was RM10.57 per kg with only a RM1 difference for the same in Kuala Lumpur last year.

Fishermen’s costs on the rise

Mat Yassin said the prices of fish were more expensive from year to year because the costs of fishermen’s trips to sea had doubled in the past five years.

“We have an oil subsidy given by the government. I admit it helps a lot, but the subsidy has a quota according to the type of boat engine.

“The fuel is also not enough for deep sea fishermen who travel a lot. They have to add their own fuel as well.

“Then with permits, paying the cost of fishermen or workers, boat maintenance, engine oil, all those costs have gone up,” he said.

Meanwhile, a wholesaler who wants to be known as Che Awang said middlemen were not to be blamed for the price hikes.

He said middlemen were not trying to take advantage of the situation. 

“Demand affects market prices. This is the basis of economics. In Terengganu or any other state, it’s actually the same.

“If demand is high and fish are available, the price of fish in the market will be stable. But if the demand for fish is unprecedented due to the weather, the price of fish will rise,” he said.

He said the prices of fish in Terengganu were also expensive because it depended on the type, size, and freshness of the fish.

“The prices of fish will be a little expensive because the quality of the fish is the best and freshest (in Terengganu).

“It is true that fish from Terengganu is in high demand,” he said. – September 26, 2023.