KUALA TERENGGANU: Who dictates the prices of fish? Is it the fisherman, the wholesaler, retailer, fishmonger or consumer?
The answer is, all of the above except the fisherman. They have, in one way or another, contributed to the push-and-pull factor in determining the prices of fish. In Terengganu, however, the “daganan” (bidders) come into the picture.
The daganan are responsible for buying every single fish landed by fishermen. The fishermen’s daily needs and earnings are taken care of by the daganan as well, the minute they land their catch at the fish landing jetties in Terengganu.
They do play a role in determining the prices of catch and record all dealings with the fishermen, including paying in advance for the daily fuel consumption, ice (to preserve their catch), food and cigarettes.
The total cost runs to between RM500 and RM1,000 per vessel, depending on the number of crewmen in the boat and the duration at sea.
On a good day, the daganan can sell all the fish to wholesalers at a predetermined price that could lead to a profit ranging from 50 sen to RM4, depending on the performance of the wholesaler.
It is only when the wholesalers are able to sell the fish at the predetermined prices that the daganan get paid in cash. But, if the fish was sold at lower than the predetermined prices, the daganan will still get paid, but at a price much lower than the deal made with the wholesalers.
When met at the Pulau Kambing fish landing jetty, daganan A. Rahman Ali, 59, said the daganan did not play a central role in determining the price of fish.
“The public thinks we (the da ganan) set the prices of fish in the market. We do not, but we do solve the problems of fishermen who depend on us to buy fuel, food and other requirements for that daily trip to sea,” said Rahman.
“However, we usually get feedback on the price of fish from wholesalers in wholesale and wet markets in Kuala Lumpur and Johor late in the evening. When we buy from fishermen, the price will be based on that and we will usually mark it up by 50 sen.
“But, we will not get the 50 sen until wholesalers sell all the fish to retailers. If wholesalers sell fish at below the 50 sen profit, we will not break even or may suffer losses for the day.
“But, if wholesalers sold fish at a profit of RM1 or above, the daganan will make that 50 sen profit.”
To the question on how prices of fish are dictated, Rahman said: “We are actually at the mercy of wholesalers.
“The wholesalers are at the mercy of retailers and the retailers are at the mercy of consumers. It is a vicious cycle.”