Local fish prices go sky-high following limited availability

A fall in the quantum of catch in the region’s waters over the last few weeks has led to a steep rise in the prices of different fish varieties in Qatar, including the cheaper ones, Gulf Times has learnt.

Sources in the country’s wholesale fish business say the trend is expected to continue in the coming days.

While the situation is somewhat okay in Qatar, some other countries in the Gulf region have seen a significant drop in their catch of late, they point out.

This is affecting the supply in Qatar, too, as the local catch is not sufficient to cater to the market requirements, the fishermen say, adding that this has led to a rise in the prices of fish.

“While the demand is high, the availability of fish — especially that of cheaper varieties — has fallen considerably,” CV Ismail, a wholesaler, told Gulf Times.

He cited the example of sardines, whose prices had jumped from the usual QR3-4/kilo to QR10/kilo at the wholesale market yesterday.

Queries revealed that there has been a major fall in the availability of the fish in the Omani waters, where it is usually found in large quantities. It is also learnt that exports to India from Oman are also significantly eating into the quantities available for markets such as Qatar.

Similarly, mackerel, which is also quite popular among many inhabitants of Qatar, has become expensive of late owing to poor availability. On Saturday, small quantities were available and these were sold at higher prices, according to sources.

According to a veteran trader, the prices of some of the fancier fish varieties are also on the higher side. Hamour, a local favourite, was being sold for QR80 and above for a kilo yesterday. The price may shoot up further in the coming days, say retailers.

Courtesy: gulf-times.com