Sardine Prices Skyrocket to ₹400/kg in Kerala

by Fishery News

The price of oil sardines and an unusual shortage in supply have startled fish lovers across Kerala, triggering a wave of mock protests on social media platforms. Artisanal fishermen, however, are making the best of a brief window in a year that has seen little or no fishing activities so far.

Fresh oil sardines sourced from small boats sold for ₹400 a kg on June 15, up from the previous range of about ₹210 to ₹250. Despite the onset of rain, which was expected to boost fish availability, the past three weeks have seen poor landings, says Antony Kurisinkal from Alappuzha. He notes that the situation is dire for most fishermen, who typically rely on sardine fisheries during the monsoon while the annual trawling ban is in force.

The oil sardines currently available are the traditionally favored rounded and fatty ones, says a salesman at the Matsyafed store in Kochi. He adds that these sardines are “booked” even before they arrive at the stall. Still considered a favorite for its quality and low price, oil sardines have surprised fish eaters this season, with the prospect of fish scarcity in general and sardine scarcity in particular, says P.V. Wilson of Chellanam.

The high price of sardines has also sparked reactions on social media, with some posts mocking the humble sardine for “growing too big for its shoes.” Some posts humorously state that the common people have always “stood by sardines even in their humble days.”

However, fishermen’s union leader Charles George remains optimistic, ruling out a poor year for sardines as the season is just beginning. He notes that sardines have made a comeback in catch volume, from 3,200 tonnes in 2021 to about 1.36 lakh tonnes in 2023 in Kerala, though the average catch used to be around 2.5 lakh tonnes a year.

Meanwhile, fishermen like Mr. Antony point to fish scarcity along the coast between Alappuzha and Chettuva in Thrissur district. He observes that the oil sardine catch has mostly been concentrated in the northern districts, while Kayamkulam, Kollam, and Azheekkal have seen a semblance of normality in sardine catch over the last week, though it is not sufficient to predict a good year for sardine fisheries.

The price of other fish varieties such as Indian mackerel is also high, with mackerels selling for ₹380 a kg and freshly-caught emperor fish for about ₹680 a kg.

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