Business · Philippines Bureau
Milkfish farmers face profit squeeze as prices plummet, costs climb
Bangus producers in Pangasinan are struggling to cover rising operational expenses as farm-gate prices for the Philippines' national fish have declined sharply. The price drop underscores mounting pressures on the country's milkfish industry.
LSN Philippines ·
CALASIAO, PANGASINAN — Milkfish farmers in Pangasinan are grappling with mounting financial pressures as production costs surge while market prices for bangus continue to slide downward.
Farm-gate prices for milkfish tumbled from P200 to P125 per kilogram during mid-October, dealing a significant blow to producers already contending with higher operational expenses. The steep price decline has made it increasingly difficult for bangus growers to recover their production investments and maintain viable farming operations.
The dual challenge of escalating input costs and weakening prices has placed considerable strain on Pangasinan's bangus industry, which remains a cornerstone of the region's aquaculture sector. Producers are facing a critical juncture as they weigh strategies to navigate the current market downturn.
Industry observers point to the price-cost imbalance as a pressing concern requiring attention from both market participants and policymakers seeking to support the sustainability of the milkfish farming sector.