Govt Claims Fish Supply Sufficient Ahead of Ramadan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director General of Product Competitiveness at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Budi Sulistiyo, stated that the availability of fish during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr this year is sufficient. Fish stocks in March and April 2024 or during Ramadan are estimated to reach 3.10 million tons.

Based on data, he estimates that the demand for fish during the fasting month and Eid al-Fitr will reach 2.46 million tons. This figure is less than the estimated amount of fish available. "Fish stocks are safe," Budi said in a written statement quoted by Tempo on Friday, March 8, 2024.

The availability is also evident from the results of data collection of around 200 frozen warehouses over the past two months with 70 to 100 percent accumulated fish supply. 

The oversupply caused the price of fish to drop. "However, the supply is gradually flowing out with the increasing demand ahead of Ramadan. Therefore, the occupancy of frozen warehouses is around 50-80 percent with normal and relatively stable prices," said Budi.

He estimates that there will be a 10 percent increase in demand for fish during Ramadan, then 20 percent ahead of Eid. The increase in demand shows the high enthusiasm of the people to consume fish.

Budi invites the public to consume fish during Ramadan. Based on the study of food practitioners from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Airlangga University, he continued, that omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish can control hunger in the body.

"Iftar or suhoor with fish is simple, healthy, and economical. InshaAllah, it will energize us to practice religious worship during the month of blessings (Ramadan)," he concluded.

NOVALI PANJI NUGROHO

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