Gamze BAL
Created Date: November 02, 2024 04:00
The abundance of bonito made the fisherman smile. Despite the increasing fishing costs this season and the scarcity of fish species in general, the abundance of bonito made the stalls cheerful. Abundance was also reflected in prices. The only product rich in nutritional value whose price decreased compared to last year was bonito. Citizen demand increased and sales revived.
According to the information given to Hürriyet by Erdoğan Kartal, President of Istanbul Fisheries Cooperatives Regional Union, bonito did not complete their migration when sea water temperatures were above normal this year. For this reason, Kartal said that the prices of bonito, which was caught in large quantities this season and weighed up to 1.3 kilos, were more affordable compared to last year, and added: “Last year, the number of bonito caught was much less than this year.
Bonito EFFECT ON THE FISH EXCHANGE
Therefore, its price was more expensive than this year. Bonito, which last year cost between 200-250 TL, starts from 110 TL this year. As you move from Istanbul towards the Black Sea, it can go down to 70 lira. “The most expensive one is 175 TL,” he said.
Pointing out that the abundance of bonito also curbed the price increases in other fish varieties, Kartal said, “Bonito dominated our stock market this year. Considering the current fishing conditions, it is expected that the weight of fish other than anchovies should not be less than 500 liras per kilo. “If bonito were not so affordable, the prices of other fish varieties would not be less than 500-600 lira,” he said.
‘CONSUMPTION IS AT A HIGH LEVEL’
Kartal said that this year’s acorn was much larger than last year; He stated that for this reason, there has been a significant increase in citizens’ demand. “There is a tremendous demand this year,” said Kartal, adding, “Yes, per capita fish consumption in Turkey is very insufficient. But if you do this statistic at this time of the year, you can see how much consumption has increased. There is already a serious increase in demand, everyone is eating bonito. Don’t just think of Istanbul as the Black Sea; “It is currently sold to both Elazığ and Diyarbakır and its consumption has reached a high level throughout the country,” he said.
LOWER WEIGHT OF ANCHOUSE INCREASED TO 300-350 TL
So what about the prices of other fish varieties?
According to the information given by Ahmet Mutlu, Chairman of the Eastern Black Sea Fisheries Cooperatives Regional Union, the price of anchovy caught in fishermen’s nets in the Black Sea varies between 300-350 liras this year. Mutlu pointed out that although anchovies were the cheapest fish last year, they were small in size. Mutlu stated that the price of mullet is currently 500 TL per kilo due to the low catch, but this price may decrease after 20-25 days due to the increase in the number of fish caught, and added: “This year, horse mackerel is between 300-350 TL. Whiting is now one of our popular fish varieties in demand. “Red mullet is sold for 100 liras, sea bream for 150 liras, salmon for 200 liras, chinakop for 200-300 liras,” he said.
CHEAPEST FISH IN ISTANBUL IS 300 TL
Erdoğan Kartal, President of Istanbul Fisheries Cooperatives Regional Union, stated that while last year the price per kilogram of the cheapest fish started from 150 liras, this year it ranged between 300-750 liras, excluding bonito. Stating that the increase in basic input costs and the scarcity of other fish species were effective in this increase, Kartal said, “Inputs have increased by at least 30-40 percent since last year. For example, diesel fuel is one of the biggest inputs. Also, at least 30 people work on large boats. Whether you fish or not, there are employee costs and additional labor costs. Added to this is the increase in all cost items, such as network prices. “But still, the current level of fish prices is more affordable than white meat.”
Source: bigpara.hurriyet.com.tr
