Fish prices set to rise this Holy Week, according to DA

Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — Fish prices are expected to rise up to 20 percent this Holy Week, Department of Agriculture (DA) spokesperson Asec. Arnel de Mesa said Friday.

During the “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” public briefing, De Mesa noted that an increase in prices is anticipated during the season.

“We are expecting about a 10 to 20 percent increase—this is minimal—for fish,” De Mesa said.

READ: Pork price hike as Holy Week nears puzzles DA

De Mesa also mentioned that there is a good supply of fish since the fishing season has been reopened.

Regarding vegetables, De Mesa stated that production is steady. He added that prices will increase but not surge significantly.

“For vegetables, our production is very good because it is the warm season, especially for lowland vegetables like pinakbet, as well as for highland vegetables,” he said.

In the predominantly Catholic Philippines, many adhere to Holy Week traditions, which include fasting and abstaining from meat.