MANILA – The prices of fish and seafood are expected to go up as consumers begin to flock the market days before the New Year’s eve celebration.
Vendors at the Mega Q-Mart in Quezon City said the prices of tilapia and bangus (milk fish) are expected to surge by P10 a kilo.
Meanwhile, the price of squid, which are sold between P300 to P400 per kilo, will have no movement due to plenty supply.
The price of shrimp, however, is expected to increase to P600 to P700 per kilo from the current P440 to P450 per kilo.
“Sigurado po tataas ang hipon… kakaunti kasi ang harvest nu’ng bumagyo nagsitapon, tumapaon laman ng palaisdaan,” Maring Vergel, a vendor at Mega Q-Mart, said.
Tropical depression “Usman’s” disturbances on the weather are also having an impact on the supply and prices of several seafoods.
The pampano sold at P350 per kilo last week is now priced at P450 per kilo.
The price per kilo of maya-maya also increased to P400 from P300. Lapu-lapu, on the other hand, also went up to P400 per kilo from P350 per kilo.
While the price of seafood is seen to go up, it still uncertain of the price of pork will have any movement.
“Same price pa rin kung hindi magtataas ang supplier,” Netnet Binuya, a vendor at Mega Q-Mart, said.
The price of beef, meanwhile, is going up due to scarcity of supply in the market.
Among the beliefs of Filipinos for the New Year’s eve or “media noche” celebration is the prepartion of sticky foods.
The so-called “Puto Avenue” in Marikina City is ready for the influx of buyers. The good news is, the price of putong pulo being sold in the “Puto Avenue” will not go up.
The price of putong pulo ranges from P250 to P1,250 depending on the number of pieces to be bought.
“All in one na so hindi na kailangan maghanap ng iba’t-ibang klaseng kakanin,” Jocel Ranga, a vendor at the “Puto Avenue,” said.
Meanwhile, other sticky delicacies such as sapin-sapin and bibingka are sold at P150 and P200 per plate, respectively. (GMA News)
