Retail fish prices rise by P160 per kilo after 'Kristine'

MANILA, Philippines — In the wake of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), Metro Manila markets are seeing a surge in retail fish prices by as much as P160 per kilogram.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has recorded an increase in fish prices since the onset of Kristine in the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on October 21. As of Monday, October 28, prices have risen for the following fish:

Sardines have experienced the largest price jump, doubling to P320 per kilogram compared to P160 on October 21. On October 28, the cost rose from P140 on October 26.

Following sardines, squid is now sold in National Capital Region markets for as high as P500 per kilogram, an increase of P50 since October 21.

Local galunggong has also seen one of the sharpest increases, with some markets selling the fish for up to P360 per kilogram. This reflects a P40 rise since Sunday and a P60 increase since Kristine entered PAR.

After reaching P360 as Kristine made landfall, local galunggong prices dipped to a maximum of P320 on October 26 before rising again to P360 on Monday.

While imported galunggong decreased to P260 on October 26 from P300 per kilogram on October 21, it rebounded to P280 on Monday, signaling an increase in prices.

Alumahan also experienced price fluctuations, rising to P420 per kilogram on October 26 — a P70 increase from October 21 — but then decreased to P360 per kilogram on Monday.

The cost of tambakol decreased to P300 per kilogram on Monday; however, this still represents a P20 increase compared to prices before Kristine's onslaught.

Meanwhile, prices of tilapia fluctuated between October 21 and October 28, reaching a peak of P160 to P180 per kilogram. 

On October 26, the maximum price for tilapia was P170 per kilogram, but by Monday, it had increased by P10, climbing to P180.

Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) has called the price hikes in some fish “baseless,” citing how farmgate prices are much lower for small fisherfolk.

Farmgate prices refer to the prices of agricultural products purchased directly from farmers or fisherfolk.

“Walang batayan ang pagtataas ng retail price ng