Adequate supply led to decrease in fish price in Chennai

CHENNAI: With the fish catch increasing due to a change in the sea wave pattern, the price was reduced by at least 15 percent after a month at Kasimedu wholesale market on Sunday. Traders stated that more trawlers ventured into the sea from last week, and the rates are expected to decrease further due to adequate supply.

"Almost every day, as many as 50 - 100 boats venture onto the Andhra coast as this is the season where more fish will be caught due to the change in sea wave pattern. Adequate fish supply arrived at the market, and the prices have decreased today. Thousands of customers thronged from 4 am, and there was a huge demand for the seafood by noon, " said MT Vishnu, a wholesale trader at Kasimedu market.

He added that the price is expected to remain stable or reduce further for the next 25 - 30 days. As the monsoon is likely to begin from next month, fishermen will not venture and the prices may go up again.

Currently, seer fish is sold for Rs 1,000 per kg, red snapper Rs 300 per kg, black and white pomfret Rs 500 and Rs 900 per kg respectively, crab Rs 300 per kg, prawn Rs 450 per kg, trevally Rs 450 per kg, anchovy Rs 250 per kg.

The retail shops across the city are selling at least 10 percent higher than the wholesale rates. With adequate supply and a decrease in price, Vaithiyalingam, a fish retailer at Anna Nagar said, " From Saturday, we have witnessed a brisk sale after a long time. As the wholesale prices surged even after the Tamil month Aadi ended."

"The demand for seer fish was more as the price reduced drastically from 1,800 per kg to Rs 991 per kg here. And other fishes are sold above Rs 200 per kg compared to wholesale, " he added.