Fish prices remain stable in the country days before the Holy Week, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

In an interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said the prevailing prices of fish, including bangus (milkfish) and tilapia, have been maintained since last month.

He said the prevailing price per kg. of milkfish is PHP240 and tilapia PHP160, based on the DA’s price monitoring.

On the other hand, the DA monitored a downward trend in the price of galunggong (mackerel scad).

“Ang gumalaw lang talaga iyong galunggong (the only price movement is that of galunggong), PHP300 last month. Last week, PHP260, ngayon PHP240. So bumaba pa iyong presyo (The price actually dropped),” De Mesa said.

He, however, noted that a minimal price adjustment on fish may be experienced during the Holy Week due to the Filipino tradition to eat fish rather than meat on Good Friday.

“We can expect movement next week, especially leading to Maundy Thursday atsaka (and) Good Friday, but this is only tatlo hanggang limang araw lang (for three to five days only),” De Mesa said.

Normally, price adjustments on retail fish do not exceed a 15-percent increase, he added.

The DA earlier assured consumers of a stable supply of fish in the country despite the anticipated increase in demand during Holy Week.

This came after the lifting of the three-month closed fishing season in February that banned the catching of sardines, herring, and mackerel. (PNA)