MELAKA: The government will consider making mackerel (ikan kembung) a controlled item if its supply in the market is stable throughout the year.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said a constant and sufficient supply of mackerels would be the basis for the ministry to list the fish as a controlled item.
He said he was in a discussion with the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry to find ways to ensure sufficient supply.
"At the moment, the price of mackerels sets the benchmark on the price of other types of fish.
"My discussion is to ensure that the supply of mackerels is sufficient not only during a certain period, but throughout the year," he told a press conference at the state-level Cooperatives Day at Melaka International Trade Centre here today.
Hamzah said there were certain seasons when fishermen landed low quantity of mackerels and this promted the country to import the fish.
"Only with a consistent and sufficient supply of mackerels that I can decide whether to control its price.
"If supply (of mackerels) is unstable, then we cannot control its pricing as this is a free market based on supply and demand," he said.
Hamzah said the ministry required more discussions with other stakeholders in the fishing industry on the pricing plan.
"We have also discussed this matter with others such as fishermen, fish wholesalers and their associations,” he said.
Keywords: mackerel, fish price, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry,