Since the beginning of Ramadan, the prices of tuna sold at the Male' Fish Market have been maintained at a steady rate.
Looking at the tuna prices at the Male' Fish Market on the first day of Ramadan, skipjack tuna was being sold at a rate of 30-35 Rufiyaa per kilo. Yellowfin tuna was being sold at a rate between 35-40 Rufiyaa per kilo. When checking today to see if there were any changes to the fish prices, there was no difference in the prices. The prices have been maintained at the same rate.
Fish sellers at the market stated that despite the rainy weather accompanying Ramadan, vessels are supplying fish in quantities that do not require price adjustments. Therefore, they said that there will be no situation where fish prices need to be increased this week or the coming week. Furthermore, some people mentioned that if more vessels from Male' Atoll could dock closer to the market side, making the supply process easier, the price of fish in the market could be reduced.
"Currently, vessels are not getting space to dock. Many vessels have to anchor very far away and bring the fish to the market with great difficulty on dinghies. Otherwise, they carry it in tubs. If space is available at the harbour, the price of fish can be lowered. Even if it rains, fish are being caught. Fishing is also good. Sometimes, because they cannot dock, the boats head off towards Hulhumale'. They sell their catch to Ensis. If we could get that catch, we could adjust the prices," a fish seller said.
Unlike other months, the public goes to the market to buy fresh fish during Ramadan. The abundance of fish in the market and the low prices encourage many people to go to the market to buy fish. Today as well, many people were there to buy fish. Happiness could be seen on their faces.
During last Ramadan, tuna was sold at very high prices in the market. At that time, a kilo of skipjack tuna was sold between 40-45 Rufiyaa. And a kilo of yellowfin tuna was sold at prices between 65-70 Rufiyaa.
