Low fish supply, prices up

Majority Chinese fish wholesalers are still on Chinese New Year holiday. – File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 – The supply of fresh fish has been drastically reduced at wet markets in the city as the majority of Chinese wholesalers are still on Chinese New Year holiday. 

A Bernama survey at the Sentul market here found only a few stalls selling fish with the rest, mostly owned by Chinese traders, still closed.

“I sell more frozen fish during the festival. Customers complain but I have no choice because the wholesalers are still on holiday,” said fish monger T.  Kamala, 28, adding that the supply should be back to normal in three or four days. 

Tenggiri fish was being sold between RM26 and RM27 a kilogramme,  (RM12-RM13), Sardine (RM5-RM9), Tuna (RM6-RM7) and prawns between RM19-RM26 a kg depending on size.   

Meanwhile, Eng Chuan Kit, 40, a trader at the Selayang wet market said he had to increase the price of fish between RM1 and RM1.50 during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

“I have no choice but to increase prices. Transport cost has gone up and I must make some money to pay rent and other expenses,” said the fish monger who has been doing business there for the past 20 years. 

Another fish monger, Yusuf Azhar, 32, said there were fewer customers but he was still able to make a profit as other stalls were closed. 

The two markets were quite deserted with ample parking spaces available unlike normal days because city folks were still on holiday. 

Meanwhile, Norihan Harun, 49, a customer at the Sentul market, said she had no choice but to pay the higher prices as her family preferred to eat fish instead of chicken or meat.

Whereas Natiya Syawal, 50, complained that the price hikes were a burden saying,” It’s okay if about 50 sen, but RM1 is too much.”   – Bernama