Online sales of fresh fish, seafood increases five-fold

The sale of fresh fish and seafood by the National Fishermen's Association (Nekmat) through its website, www.nekmatbiz.com.my, has seen a five-fold increase since enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) on March 18.

Its chairman, Abdul Hamid Bahari, said prior to MCO, the online sale amounted to only RM10,000 to RM20,000 a month, but during the MCO period of over a month, Nekmat has recorded sales exceeding RM100,000.

“As of March 18 to April 15, a total of 5,983.72 kilogrammes of fish and seafood were sold with a total transaction of 1,007 involving sales amounting to RM122,972.39," he told Bernama.

He said the increase was due to the problems faced by consumers in going to the market themselves to buy fish and seafood, and finding it easier to purchase them using the online platform.

Abdul Hamid said besides online sales via its portal, Nekmat also sells direct to customers through Facebook, with the goods delivered by their runners.

“For the direct selling method through Facebook, 84,949.90 kilogrammes of fish have been sold, involving a total of 19,256 transactions and sale amounting RM400,067.45," he said.

Abdul Hamid said to date, Nekmat has 40 runners working on a daily basis to deliver fish and seafood to customers ordering through Facebook.

“We advertise fresh fish for sale between 8pm and 10pm daily and the purchased items will be delivered to them the following day,” he said, adding that customers can lodge a complaint if the items they bought cost more than the price listed by Nekmat on its Facebook page.

Abdul Hamid said Nekmat has a fish stock of 50 tonnes at all times.

“Nekmat sources for fish and seafood from local fishermen. For direct sales, we obtain our supply from fishermen in Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.

On complaints over the delay in the delivery of the items to customers, Abdul Hamid said it was due to the high number of orders received.

“During the first week of MCO, we received up to 200 orders a day, and with MCO, where movement is limited, there is bound to be some delays in delivery,” he said.

However, he said, proactive measures have been taken by Nekmat is to address the problem by having its own runners to deliver the goods to its customers.

“Now, we are able to deliver within two to three days, and our customers are also happy as the fish delivered to them is fresh and of quality,” he said. - Bernama