Nghe An: Seafood prices continue to drop sharply due to Covid-19

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, thousands of boats in the sea areas of Quynh Luu and Dien Chau still go out to sea regularly. Although the catch is still guaranteed, the price is currently falling sharply, from 30-50% compared to the same period last year... so fishermen cannot help but worry.

Fishing boats of Nghe An fishermen still stay at sea during the epidemic season. Photo: Quang An

Fisherman Tran Van Thay in Hamlet 5, Son Hai Commune (Quynh Luu) said: On average, each trip to the sea, his family's fishing boat catches 2.5 - 3 tons of seafood, with a value of 150 million VND. However, since the beginning of April, the price of seafood sold at the port has dropped sharply.

Typically, if previously, clean, dried squid type 1 was sold for 1.4 million VND/kg, now it is only 800-1 million VND/kg. For small dried squid, the price has decreased from 500,000 VND/kg to 350,000-400,000 VND/kg. In particular, the price of exported hairtail fish has decreased by half, from 140,000 VND/kg to only 70,000 VND/kg.

According to Mr. Thay's calculations, after deducting the cost of 50 - 65 million VND/trip and paying the crew, his ship is not worth much.

Seafood is caught at Lach Quen port, Quynh Luu district. Photo: Hong Dien

Similarly, in Dien Chau district, seafood prices have also continuously decreased since the beginning of April. In particular, mackerel has decreased from 250,000 VND/kg to 170,000 VND/kg, delicious crab has decreased from 400,000 VND/kg to only 280,000 VND/kg, shrimp, squid, snails... have decreased from 30 - 50% in price. Dried seafood such as shrimp, dried squid, yellowstripe scad... have also suffered similar price reductions.

According to research, the main reason for the sharp drop in seafood prices is due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, which has caused restaurants to close, collective kitchens of many schools and factories to stop operating, and exports to stagnate,...

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung - Vice Chairman of Dien Ngoc Commune People's Committee (Dien Chau) said: At Lach Van fishing port, if normally there are over 1,000 people gathering at the port to buy and sell fish and shrimp when the boats return, since Directive 16 of the Prime Minister took effect, the number of traders coming to the port has decreased significantly, currently fluctuating around 300 - 400 people.

At Lach Van port, Dien Ngoc commune (Dien Chau), seafood traders have reduced their purchases by half due to the epidemic. Photo: Quang An

In the situation of good harvest and falling prices, besides accepting to sell at low prices to avoid unsold products, people in coastal communes are now increasing investment in cold storage to preserve seafood. At the same time, people are also taking advantage of social media channels such as Facebook and Zalo to advertise their products and avoid seafood congestion.

Prices of shrimp, fish, crab, squid... are all reduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Quang An - Hong Dien

Mr. Tran Huu Tien - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said: The decline in seafood prices at this time is inevitable in the context of the economy being heavily affected by the epidemic. The positive thing now is that the sharp decrease in gasoline prices has helped fishermen reduce their costs of going to sea and avoid losses. We are currently proposing that banks extend debt and reduce interest rates for boat owners and purchasing facilities during this time. At the same time, districts also encourage investment in cold storage, fishermen take advantage of favorable weather conditions, seafood resources are showing signs of recovery to maintain their fishing trips, so that when the epidemic is over, they will have products for export.