Boats stop fishing, seafood is scarce, prices increase

At traditional markets, fresh seafood stalls are "absent". Photo: Thanh Phuc

Prolonged cold and rain, the sea has been continuously rough in recent days, along with the complicated developments of the epidemic, so since after Tet until now, most of the boats have been "staying ashore" and have not been able to go out to sea to exploit and fish. Mr. Nguyen Tien Loi, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Nghi Thuy Ward (Cua Lo Town) said: "Every year, on the 4th day of Tet, fishermen go out to sea to open the sea, this year, many unfavorable factors at the same time: increased fuel, bad weather, epidemic, many boat owners and crew members are having to be quarantined, so 110 boats in the area are temporarily suspending exploitation and fishing activities".

In other localities such as Dien Chau and Quynh Luu, activitiesseafood exploitationFishermen's income has also stagnated. This has led to a temporary shortage of fresh seafood in traditional markets. According to a survey, in recent days, at markets such as Quan Lau, Hung Dung, Vinh market, Coi market... many fresh seafood stalls have stopped selling.

Many retailers temporarily sell frozen goods when there is no source of fresh seafood. Photo: Thanh Phuc

The reason is that there are no goods to buy wholesale and retail, and partly because of the epidemic, the market is more deserted. Contacted by phone, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, a trader in Nghi Tan (Cua Lo) who sells fresh shrimp, fish, and squid at Hung Dung market, said: "The boats are not going out to sea, so there is no source of goods to sell. The market has been closed for the past few days, from tomorrow we have to sell frozen and dry goods instead."

Fresh seafood is scarce, so traders have turned to frozen seafood from freezers to sell to the market. Ms. Pham Thi Hien, owner of a freezer in Nghi Hai ward (Cua Lo town) said: "Since Tet, business has been slower than every year due to the epidemic. But for the past week, it has increased, mainly retail sales to retailers at markets. Every day, our warehouse sells several hundred kilograms to retailers in the area."

Prices of frozen seafood are quite stable. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Compared to fresh seafood, frozen products are not as good in quality, and consumers do not like them, but in the current situation, this is a substitute product and many housewives choose it. The price of frozen seafood is quite stable: mackerel is 190,000 - 210,000 VND/kg, pomfret is 130,000 - 150,000 VND/kg, white-leg shrimp is 150,000 - 180,000 VND/kg; squid is 180,000 - 200,000 VND/kg.

“Most of the shrimp, fish, and squid in the frozen warehouses are from the South, bought from other countries, so they cannot be as delicious as the freshly caught seafood from Cua Lo, Quynh Luu, and Dien Chau. However, to change the daily menu, people still choose frozen seafood for their meals.

Many people choose farmed seafood as an alternative in their daily menu. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Present,fresh seafood prices are risingcompared to before. Specifically: anchovy fish costs 150,000-170,000 VND/kg (increased 30,000-50,000 VND/kg); shrimp 400,000 VND/kg (increased 100,000 VND/kg), squid 400,000 VND/kg (previously 300,000 VND/kg), mackerel 300,000-350,000 VND/kg (previously 250,000-270,000 VND/kg), silver pomfret 150,000 VND/kg (previously 100,000 VND/kg); blue crab 600,000-700,000 VND/kg (increased 200,000 VND/kg)...

Naturally caught seafood is scarce, so many people choose to eat farmed seafood or freshwater seafood, so these products are quite popular. Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Anh, a housewife in Hung Binh ward (Vinh city) said: "Frozen seafood is not popular, fresh seafood is expensive and rare, so these days I increase meat, eat river fish, river shrimp, frogs, eels... instead."

It is estimated that this shortage is only temporary due to adverse weather conditions and the impact of gasoline prices and the epidemic. When the cold rains end and fishermen return to sea, the market will be abundant. However, prices will fluctuate when gasoline is escalating as it is now.

Thanh Phuc