Value of fish in Malaysia constantly increasing despite fluctuating fish production

 

According to statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the number of fishermen in Malaysia decreased from 2013 to 2016. In those four years, the number of fishermen in the country had been reduced by an estimated 12,000 fishermen.

 

Despite the decline in the number of fishermen in Malaysia, the nation’s fish production was higher in 2016 compared to 2013. The figures were 1,574 tonnes to 1,482.9 tonnes.

 

Before 2016, Malaysia’s fish production was fluctuating from 2010 to 2015. However, the price of fish within the same period was constantly increasing instead of fluctuating.

 

Comparing the fish production between 2013 and 2015, the figures were 1,482.9 tonnes and 1,486 tonnes respectively. The difference was only about 3.1 tonnes. Yet, the value of fish in 2015 had increased by almost RM1 million compared to 2013.

 

This means the market price for fish in Malaysia was increasing, and so was the cost of living.