Cold weather jacks up bangus prices
EVEN the bangus feel the chill.
The price of bangus, which grow best within a water temperature of 28 to 32 degrees Celsius, have gone up due to the prevailing cold weather brought about by amihan winds since November last year.
From the regular P80 to P90 per kilo, bangus currently range between P103 to P105 per kilo as production takes longer and fish farmers spend more on feeds.
Emma Molina, city agriculturist of Dagupan, considered as the Bangus Capital of the World, explained that bangus become sluggish when the temperature is low.
Last week, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services office in the city recorded temperatures ranging between 19 to 22 degrees.
“The warmer the water, the better for their growth,” she told The PUNCH.
Molina also said bangus tend to eat less and thus grow slower during the cold season.
Bangus normally takes 95 to 110 days to reach ideal market size.
Molina advised fishpond owners to adjust the first feeding session for the day at after 7:00 a.m. as this is the time when bangus swim to the surface.
Bangus are fed thrice a day using algae which is believed as one the contributing factors to making Dagupan bangus tastier than those raised elsewhere using commercial fed.#
. . . but future looks
bright for bangus industry
WHEN the cold front blows over beginning March, the bangus industry is expected to do well for the rest of the year, said Emma Molina, city agriculturist of Dagupan.
Molina said producers have essentially recovered from the major natural calamities last year, especially super Typhoon Cosme.
Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. reiterated Molina’s observation saying bangus farmers are now recovering their losses from Cosme.
Fernandez is also optimistic that the planned fish processing center, which will be funded from a $2 million grant from the South Korean government, will push through this year despite an ongoing dispute with illegal settlers in the site.
The mayor said once established, the processing center will strengthen the city’s position as the Bangus Capital of the World with a daily trade of about 31 tons of bangus.
Fernandez also introduced a strict monitoring scheme against the entry of so-called “alien” bangus raised in other provinces and do not have the same quality as the Dagupan bangus.#
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