Prices of fish, fruits rise on New Year’s Eve in Tagbilaran City

The high prices of fish and fruits have not stopped people in wet markets and malls in Tagbilaran City, Bohol from buying something for the new year. (Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas)

TAGBILARAN CITY — Prices of fish and fruits here increased hours before the new year.

At the Dao Public Market, barilis (yellowfin tuna), badlon (blue trevally), and salimbagon (skipjack tuna) were sold at P450 to P550 per kilo from P380 to P400 per kilo.

The price of Lapulapu (grouper fish) also went up from P650 to P700 per kilo.

Lipti (Harlequin sweetlips fish), on the other hand, is now sold at P450 to P500.

Tangigi (Wahoo fish) also went up to P700 per kilo from P550 to P600 per kilo.

The price of shrimp increased to P400 to P550 per kilo from the previous P350 to P380 per kilo.

Fish prices also have increased with common fish such as tamarung (Oxeye scad fish) at P280 per kilo, bangus (milk fish) at P180 to P220 per kilo, burot burot (rough-ear scad) at P220, and bangsi (flying fish) now being sold at P140 per kilo compared to the previous P120.

The high prices of fish and fruits have not stopped people in wet markets and malls in Tagbilaran City, Bohol from buying something for the new year. (Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas)

Vendors said the price increase is normal during the New Year. The situation, they said, is being exacerbated by inclement weather the past few days.

Vegetable prices also continued to go up.

Garlic is sold at P110 to P120 per kilo while red onions are increased from P380 to P550 per kilo. Inside the mall, red onions were sold at P670 per kilo.

Despite the price increase, many people still went to the wet markets to buy something for the new year.

“I’m just here to buy fish for the media noche and small pieces of spices such as onion and garlic,” said Dory Sarabia.

Some residents also bought round fruits which were believed to bring good luck in the new year.

There are kiat- kiat sold at P90 per pack, mango at P100-P200 per kilo, grapes at P200-P300 per kilo, pears at P35 per piece, orange at P10-P20 per piece and apples at P10-P15 per piece. Fruits like pomelo sold at P194 or P185 per piece, and guava at P63 and P85 per piece depending on the size.

Compared to last year, fruit vendor Evelyn Estomata, 42, said there were fewer buyers this year.

“We are afraid we can’t recover from our investment,” she said.

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