High fuel cost jacks up fish prices

It may take a while before consumers can expect fish prices to go back to their normal levels as fuel prices continue to shoot up.

According to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Ed Gongona, price surveys showed that prices of fish remain high despite government intervention as pump prices of fuel rose for the ninth week.

Fish varieties like black carp, mackerel are being sold at P10 a kilo higher than their usual prices, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and BFAR showed.

“The spike in prices could be attributed to fuel costs,” Gongona said in a text message.

He said there was no supply issue at the moment, but noted that traders were passing on to consumers the increase in transport costs.

Since January, prices of diesel and gasoline have gone up by P14.95 and P14.37 a liter, respectively.

Fisherfolk are especially hurting as fuel accounts for almost 60 percent of their production cost.

As early as August, the sector had asked Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol in a two-hour consultation for help in getting fuel subsidy from the government—similar to the voucher program for jeepney drivers.