The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has assured the stability of retail prices for bangus and tilapia in Metro Manila.

Based on the DA-BFAR’s report on Wednesday, Jan. 31, the medium-sized bangus from Bulacan and Pangasinan cost P180 per kilo or two to three pieces, while medium-sized tilapia from Batangas and Pampanga cost P120 per kilo.

Farmgate prices for tilapia and bangus have also decreased, according to DA-BFAR.

“[We] did not observe a fluctuation in the prevailing retail prices… The prices of these fisheries commodities have remained stable since the previous weeks due to sufficient supply from farms,” the agency said.

The P90 to P93 farmgate price range for tilapia last week went down to P85 to P88.

Bangus farmgate price for this week ranges from P130 to P140.

The agency explained that these lowered price changes are caused by varying sizes of unloaded supplies in markets.

“Large-sized bangus, for example, commands a higher price of Php200-Php240 per kilo,” DA-BFAR explained. “The secondary markets, which source their supply from primary markets, may sell fisheries products at marked-up prices.”

Consumers are also notified of the galunggong supply increase due to its closed fishing season set by the end of January.

The DA-BFAR anticipates a large quantity of local-fresh galunggong coming from Palawan markets, which is Luzon’s major source.

“Rest assured that price and supply monitoring efforts are continuously overseen and other concerned agencies to ensure that fish commodities are affordable and sufficient for the consumers in Metro Manila,” the fisheries agency noted.