Kalibo, Aklan -- Climatic conditions in Aklan has affected fish prices and supply here, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
In its latest monitoring (December 2009), the OPA reported that the low supply of fish in the market, caused by erratic fishing activities brought by unfavorable weather conditions, has rendered prices of the commodity to increase.
Of the 18 fish types monitored by OPA, the lowest priced fish, tamban, was priced at P30/kilo in its November report. In the December monitoring however, its price reached P50.00 per kilo, which registered a P20.00 increase.
Two fish types – the danggit and mamsa, registered the highest price at P180.00 per kilo, up by P20.00 from their previous price of P160.00. On the other hand, batwanon, another fish type, had a P40.00 increase, from P100.00 in November to P140 in December 2009.
On the other hand, prices of vegetables and root crops were reported stable by OPA.
"If there are changes, they are very minimal and can be considered as acceptable price levels," said William Castillo, Sr. Agriculturist and Officer-in-Charge of OPA-Aklan.
Castillo said some commodities have increased in prices while others have gone down depending on the supply in the market. He emphasized that the price changes are at manageable levels.
Other agricultural commodities monitored by OPA include cash crops, root and tuber crops, sugar, rice, corn, fruits, dried fish, fertilizer, insecticides and herbicides. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)