The Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved the importation of an additional 8,280 metric tons (MT) of frozen small pelagic fish to alleviate domestic supply shortages caused by a series of recent typhoons.
In a statement released Tuesday, the DA said the decision followed a meeting of the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC). Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. explained that the additional imports aim to mitigate the effects of Typhoons Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito, which have disrupted local fish supplies ahead of the critical fourth quarter.
The new import volume builds on an earlier allocation of 30,000 MT of frozen small pelagic species, such as round scad and mackerel, which are expected to arrive in local markets by next month. These imports are intended to support fish supply during the closed-fishing season, which runs from November through mid-March, when fishing in key spawning areas is restricted.
Tiu Laurel clarified that the latest import volume would not affect the previous 30,000 MT limit, with the 8,000 MT allocated for regular distribution, while the remaining 280 MT will be designated for the government’s Kadiwa ng Pangulo rolling store centers. These centers are part of the government’s initiative to provide affordable food to vulnerable sectors, including indigents, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens.
The DA also confirmed that the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) for the additional 8,280 MT would be issued until December 16, with all imports required to arrive by January 30, 2025.
Recent price monitoring by the DA has shown a wide range of prices for popular fish products in Metro Manila’s public markets. As of last Saturday, prices ranged from P180 to P240 per kilogram for milkfish, P135 to P170 for tilapia, P240 for imported galunggong, and up to P380 for alumahan.
The import decision is expected to help stabilize market prices, which have fluctuated due to weather-related disruptions.
