After huge increase, fish prices finally fall again at Central Market

A ‘marked improvement’ in the local catch has helped boost fish supplies, leading to a steady fall in the prices of some sought-after varieties at the Doha Central Market over the past three days.

Gulf Times reported that popular varieties such as King fish and Hamour, which had seen a steep rise in their prices in recent weeks, are now being sold at ‘more affordable’ rates of QR30-40/kilo at the wholesale market.

However, prices in retail markets are likely to be a bit higher.

Last week, a kilo of King fish cost QR80 to QR100 at the Central Market. As a result, demand for the variety had fallen sharply, according to traders.

“However, things have improved since Friday evening,” said one of them, attributing it to an improved catch.

The prices of Hamour, too, had soared in recent weeks — sometimes selling at QR65-75.

While King fish was available for QR35/kilo on Sunday, small Hamour was being sold for prices ranging from QR30 to QR40.

Owing to heavy supplies in the market, large quantities were also exported to Saudi Arabia in the last two days, said traders.

Meanwhile, the prices of Sheri have also fallen to QR12-13/kilo from over QR20 last week, according to market sources.

Some of the traders said fish prices were unlikely to rise now and the weather conditions suggested that the catch would further improve significantly over the next few days.

Queries with fishermen revealed that there had a big rise in the number of fishing vessels going for duty in the last three days, especially on Saturday.

They said an even better catch was expected now and the prices of popular fish types such as King fish should fall further in the coming days.

Courtesy: gulf-times.com