PETALING JAYA: Fish symbolise “abundance” in Chinese New Year celebrations, but ironically, the treasured seafood is in short supply for the festive season.
Malaysians are told to be prepared to dig deeper into their pockets next month as prices are expected to soar because of poor weather and dwindling catches.
Hai Suah Hutan Melintang Association president Lee Chu Soi said the preferred fish for Lunar New Year feasts, the white pomfret, now fetched a high price of RM130 or RM140 for over a kg.
“It is already difficult to find this fish now and it might be even scarcer nearer to Chinese New Year,” he said, adding that the price was likely to go up by 15% to 20%.
The Chinese community will usher in the Year of the Rabbit on Jan 22.
Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Endau president Bob Chia said Chinese pomfret now cost RM200 in Johor, and the price was expected to rise again.
“Fish like pomfret are usually exported to Singapore, where freshly caught fish from the South China Sea are very highly priced,” he said.
According to him, the white pomfret costs RM50 to RM60 per kg, and snapper and grouper fetch RM40 to RM50 per kg. Chia said in Endau, many fishermen were not willing to risk operating their vessels in unpredictable weather.
“We have seen extreme weather lately and fisherfolk are reluctant to take their boats out. That’s why the fish catch has been low,” he added.
Kuala Lumpur Hoi Seong Fish Wholesalers Association chairman Sing Kian Hock said pomfret and prawn prices had increased by 20%, noting also that there was low supply around the Klang Valley.
He said the Chinese pomfret (dou chang) and white pomfret (bai chang) are classic favourites in Kuala Lumpur, and the prices were considerably lower than in other states at RM95 to RM100 per kg.
Except for pomfret, the prices have risen by between 10% and 20% for different catches, from ikan kembung (mackerel) to prawn.
Chinese New Year revellers will also have to brace for a price hike in another must-have dish during reunion dinners – roast pork (siew yuk).
Malaysia Pork Meat Traders’ Association chairman Chow Poh Yue said the price of pork had gone up nine times this year.
“I don’t want to comment on pork prices. I feel the government should step in, especially with Chinese New Year being just around the corner,” he said.
Fish, pork – even chicken is another festive essential for Chinese New Year.
While a labour shortage, skyrocketing costs of chicken feed and sick chickens were some of the challenges that have caused farmers to grapple with a supply shortage, now they say the country has an oversupply of chicken.
According to farmers, there is enough chicken supply but since the price for chicken fodder remains high, there will be no significant reduction in the price of chicken.
Johor Small and Medium Poultry Farmers’ Association secretary Lau Ka Keng said his chicken farm could produce 170,000 birds per month to meet client demand.
He said in Johor, the supply by chicken farms was stable but the government subsidy was delayed.
Pudu Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Lim Kin He said the chicken supply at wet markets had stabilised again, adding that there was even a slight drop in prices.
A member of the Federation of Livestock Farmers Associations of Malaysia said chicken prices should be floated according to supply and demand.
“We hope to meet the new minister to ask price controls be lifted so that consumers can pay a reasonable price,” he said.
