KOTA BARU: Despite the ongoing rainy season and the monsoon season looming, there is ample supply of fish in Kelantan and prices have remained steady for the last couple of months.
Checks at the Pasar Berek 12 market here found that there is still an abundant supply of local fish being sold at affordable prices.
Fish monger Norafaika Kamarudin, 32, said the stocks of fish in the state are still abundant as fishermen are still able to go out to sea and catch fish.
Norafaika said that the price of fish has not gone up and was still being sold for the same price since a few months ago thanks to the abundant supply.
The price for Ikan Kembung and Ikan Selar is RM20 per kilogramme (kg), followed by Ikan Tongkol at RM10 per kg, Ikan Selayang for between RM6 to RM10 per kg and Kerisi at RM 16 per kg.
"The price has remained for the past two months with no price hike whatsoever. I bought the fish from local fishermen and from the nearby jetty; Tok Bali, Pasir Puteh, the Tunjong and Besut Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Terengganu", she said when met at the market here.
The mother of three said there was a possibility that stocks would decline because of the impending monsoon season when fishermen will be unable to go out to sea to catch fish.
She also said a bright moon meant that there would be less fish, and there is the possibility that the prices might increase and as a result, traders will buy 'ikan kotak' (frozen fish) to sell.
Buyer Nor Alina Azmi, 35, said that she will buy fish from the market because the stock is fresh as it is sourced from local fishermen.
"Alhamdulillah so far the price of fish has remained and there has been no increase in prices. I hope that such prices remain even though the monsoon season is just around the corner.
"However once the monsoon season comes then will have to stock up on 'ikan kotak' in the freezer or stock up on salted and dried fish," said Nor Alina.