Fish prices drop in Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

Abundant supply along with lower demand from the part of restaurants has reduced the prices of many fish at the Bahrain Central Market.

The prices of Tuna, Catfish and Kasoor saw a huge dip while that of popular ones like Sheri and Safi reduced marginally.

A fish merchant at the Bahrain Central Market attributed the price reduction to an increase in supply.

“These lower prices are due to the increase in supply, which is a temporary situation.

From next week onwards, the prices will start going north, reaching the previous levels again.

“The maximum price dip is for Tuna, which was BD22 for 25kgbox last week and now trading at BD16 for the same quantity.

“The price of Sheri has been reduced from BD1.5 to BD1 per kilogram while that of mackerel is in the neighbourhood of BD2 for the same quantity.”

He said a windy season is going to set in, which will adversely affect the fish catch.

“Now, here onwards we can see the price of most favourite fish going up after hitting the minimum levels.”

Another fish merchant said the prices decreased because of the lack of demand from the restaurants.

“Nearly 20 to 30% of the fish from the Central Market goes to restaurants across the Kingdom.

Owing to the pandemic situation, a large number of restaurants are not operating, which is creating a surplus supply of fish, vegetables and meat in the market.”

In a related development, Ibrahim Al Hawaj, the Undersecretary for Agriculture and Marine Resources within the Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Ministry, said the violators of fishing rules will face tough punishments in the Kingdom.

“Protecting the fishing sector is of great importance as it plays a vital role in the Kingdom’s food security plan.

Enhancing fish stocks and developing the marine environment is a top priority for the ministry.

We are willing to receive any proposal that would support the fishermen in the country,” he said, after chairing a meeting with department officials in Budaiya.

He also emphasised the need for the Kingdom’s entire fishing sector to resort to appropriate fishing methods to save the “fisheries wealth” from depleting.