Fish prices ‘affordable’ despite regional crisis

KUWAIT CITY, April 26: The local fish market anticipates a new phase that could restore balance between local production and imported fish, amid government decisions aimed at revitalizing the fishing industry and opening import channels, and a reality marked by fluctuating supply. After the issuance of decisions permitting the resumption of sailing fishing and recreational boats and the gradual reopening of airspace, many are optimistic that such decisions will strengthen food security through increased fish stocks and ease pressure on the local market.

Abdullah Al-Sarheed, head of Kuwait Fishermen Union, confirmed to the newspaper that the local market is currently experiencing abundance of fish in both quantity and quality. He affirmed that prices remain affordable for a large segment of consumers despite the challenges the sector faced recently. He stated that reopening the airspace and allowing fishing boats to resume sailing are considered strategic steps towards enhancing food security. He said these measures will lead to gradual re-balancing of supply and demand by increasing the local catch or easing import operations. He disclosed that during the airspace closure, the union relied heavily on land imports to meet market needs. “This helped narrow the supply gaps, but it was not enough to achieve total stability, considering the high cost of land transport and limited options compared to air freight,” he explained.

He said the union intends to implement a comprehensive plan in the coming phase to diversify import sources by targeting new markets in Asia, such as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He revealed that the goal is to secure a stable supply of high-quality fish, particularly after stopping imports from Iran, which was a major source for the Kuwaiti market. He added that fully reopening the airspace will give the market more flexibility in meeting demand and will expedite the arrival of fresh shipments. He believes this will positively impact product quality and price stability. He expects gradual improvement in supply levels in the coming period. He confirmed that the union is coordinating with government agencies to expand fish distribution outlets. He cited the preliminary agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs to supply imported fish to cooperative societies at cost price to prevent unjustified price hikes. In addition, Hamoud Hamdi, shift supervisor at the Fish Market in Sharq, informed the newspaper that the market is undergoing a transitional phase characterized by fluctuations due to several factors, such as the decline in local fish supply and temporary reliance on imports, given the exceptional circumstances the region witnessed recently. He said the available local fish quantities are very limited. He attributed this to the temporary halt in fishing boat operations and restrictions on vessel movement, which prevented them from reaching distant fishing areas, especially those near the Saudi and Iranian borders. “These areas are known for their abundant fish production,” he stated.

He pointed out that the market relied almost entirely on land imports during the past period due to the airspace closure, which limited the speed and quantity of shipments. He said the reopening of Kuwait International Airport is a significant turning point, as it is expected to accelerate import operations and increase the supply, especially fresh fish. Regarding the decision to allow recreational fishing, he considers it a positive decision for boat owners, as it restored their ability to fish within a specific timeframe. “However, it did not have the desired impact on the commercial fishing sector, because fishing areas remain restricted to a certain geographical area, so many commercial fishermen are still hesitant to sail, as the trips are not economically viable given the low returns,” he explained.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff