(PNA file photo)
MANILA – Amidst rising food prices, an advocacy group on Wednesday said that fresh fish like bangus and tilapia are the Filipino family’s best alternative source of protein.
At a time when the cost of meat and poultry products are spiraling due to supply and pandemic issues, the group said fish from aquaculture remains the most affordable food for Pinoys.
“Per capita, Filipinos consume about 60 kilos of meat protein per year. Sixty percent of that, or roughly 36 kilos, comes from fish, according to government data. Hence, fish, like bangus and tilapia, can be a real ‘lifesaver’ especially for low-income families,” Tugon Kabuhayan said.
Based on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Price Monitoring, pork has peaked at PHP400 per kilo this January while aquaculture commodities bangus and tilapia can be bought at PHP170 and PHP120 per kilo, respectively.
The prices of these aquaculture commodities are far lower than local and imported round scad (galunggong) which range from PHP200 to PHP260 per kilo.
Tugon Kabuhayan is confident that the aquaculture sector has sufficient supply of bangus and tilapia.
The group predicts that prices of fish will further decrease in the following months based on last year's trend wherein the prices of galunggong and bangus went down by as much as PHP50-PHP60 per kilo.
Additionally, the group said data shared by fish producers from Taal and Pampanga show that tilapia farm gate price is starting to exhibit a downward trend. This trend may lead to lower retail prices now at PHP120 down to PHP110 per kilo by mid-February to early March. The price of tilapia is expected to further dip starting April.
Prices of all fish are also expected to decrease as more fish become available with the closed season of round scad will end on January 31.
The group said the country will be better served if there is continuous growth in aquaculture.
It reiterates its call for the government to further facilitate the growth of aquaculture by allowing sustainable use of lakes, dams, and reservoirs for aquaculture production.
“The past years have shown stable growth in the production of aquaculture commodities, especially tilapia. We strongly urge the public to buy more affordable and locally produced bangus and tilapia. Patronizing these commodities will encourage production which will further stabilize supply and fish prices.” the group said. (PR)
