PETALING JAYA: Prices of fishes and prawns have risen by 20% to 30% ahead of the Chinese New Year, but they remain cheaper than last year’s festive season, say fishermen’s associations.
Malaysia Fish Industries General Association deputy president Lee Chu Soi said the price of pomfrets, popular during the festival, has increased from RM80 to over RM130 per kg.
Last year, Chinese pomfret was priced at RM160 per kg.
The price of groupers weighing over a kilogramme has risen from about RM48 to RM52 per kg, while the price of grade AA Ming prawns has gone up from RM75 to RM90 per kg.
Sekinchan Fishermen and Fish Traders Welfare Association president Datuk Chia Choon Theng said their Ming prawns are now priced at between RM75 and RM80 per kg this year, lower than the RM90 per kg last year.
He said consumers started stocking up on seafood a month ago to secure more affordable options and avoid price hikes during the Chinese New Year.
“Chinese families will choose to buy seafood for the New Year. Even though the economy is not good, it is an annual tradition,” he added.
Kuala Lumpur Hoi Seong Fish Wholesalers Association president Sing Kian Hock said that despite the lower catch during the monsoon season, leading to a moderate increase in prices, consumers are likely to be cautious in their seafood purchases.
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He said many now prefer to buy seafood online or directly from fishermen, which has resulted in a decline in business for markets and wholesalers.
“So, the increase in seafood prices will not be too high, and there will not be a shortage of supply.
“Many consumers have started buying seafood through live broadcasts online and directly from fishermen.
“This has caused fish traders in markets and wholesale markets to see a 60% reduction in customers.
“In previous years, they could sell up to 2,000kg of seafood during the Chinese New Year, but now, they can only sell around 800kg,” he added. He said 60% of the country’s supply was imported while the other 40% came from local fishermen.
A consumer, Grace Kow, 49, said two refrigerators in her house had been “emptied” to make room for the New Year feast.
To prepare for the reunion dinner with her family, Kow said she usually buys seafood, including groupers, Chinese pomfret, Ming prawns and crabs every year.
This year, her total purchase cost about RM1,000. Previously, she would go to wholesale markets to select seafood and pre-order from familiar fish traders. This year, she chose to buy seafood directly from fishermen.
