Bad Weather Imbas, Fish Price In Kupang Melejit To More Than 100 Percent

JAKARTA - A number of fish traders in traditional markets in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara have complained that fish prices are currently increasing by more than 100 percent due to reduced supplies from fishermen in the local area.

"The price of kombong fish, which is usually IDR 20,000/collect, is now sold for IDR 50,000/collect, up more than 100 percent because the supply is still very less than fishermen," said the Umbu fish trader when met at Pasar Oeba, Kupang City, Thursday, January 12.

He said the price of fish soared high due to bad weather in the form of strong winds and high sea waves that caused fishermen in Kupang City not to go to sea.

Even if there are those who go to sea in nearby waters, they also do not get a lot of fish, so it has an impact on supply to traders in traditional markets.

Voni, another fish trader at the Naikoten Inpres Market, said that fish prices such as skipjacks have also increased, but the price of kombong fish is still higher than 100 percent.

Calcalang fish supplied from larger fishing boats which were previously sold for IDR 30,000/kilograms rose to IDR 40,000/kilograms.

This price increase is not too significant because fishing boats in the skipjack have been fishing again since a few days ago, while small boat or body fishermen who catch kombongs and others in the waters around Kupang are mostly still anchoring.

"The price of fish is not yet stable and will usually gradually fall when the weather improves and supplies from fishermen are starting to run smoothly again," he said as quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, Nia, a resident of Oeba Village, admitted that the price of fish has increased significantly over the past few weeks, adding to the burden of household expenses.

"So for side dishes in the past few weeks, we prefer to consume eggs and chicken meat because it is still more affordable than fish," he said.