Prices of fish in Singapore have seen an increase after a cut in supply from Malaysia. The price of yellowtail scad or ikan selar, for example, has gone up by about 14 per cent from S$7 per kilogramme to S$8 per kilogramme.
Some fishmongers at the wet market in Chinatown said the price rise came after Malaysia issued a directive to stop fish exports to Singapore and Thailand from this month. Malaysia has said this is due to an anticipated shortage during the monsoon season.
The Singapore Fish Merchant’s General Association said the impact is mitigated by the diversity of sources in Singapore. Singapore also imports fish from countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
However some fish sellers said they have started to see supply from Malaysia trickling back. “One week ago, there were fewer fish – about 3 per cent less. But now there’s a bit more. The customers understand. If I raise the price, they will ask me for a discount, and I do try to give them.”
“It is a necessity…we do eat quite a bit of fish…of course we might scale back a little but not too much,” said a customer. “Depends on your family; if you can afford to buy, you buy, if you can’t afford, you take the small fish,” said another.
2014 Mediacorp News Group