Malaysia announces fish export ban; AVA said restrictions will not have a significant impact on Singapore
by CWA
@ 21 Dec 2018
The Malaysian Government has announced on Monday (17 Dec) that it will prohibit the export of seafood from 1 Jan to 28 Feb and 1 May to 30 June next year due to supply shortages during the monsoon and festive season. However, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said on Wednesday (19 Dec) that the restrictions will not have a significant impact on Singapore.
The announcement comes a week after Putrujaya said that it was looking into limiting or stopping the export of eggs. Affected seafood species include the 'kembung' (mackerel), 'selar' (trevally), 'pelaling' (Indian mackerel) and 'bawal' (pomfret) fish as well as all shrimp and prawn.
Similar bans have been in place over the last six years as Malaysia tends to cut back on its exports due to the higher demand during the Chinese New Year festive period and the volume of catches affected by the monsoon season.
However, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said that the restrictions will not likely have a significant impact on Singapore's overall food supply, saying that "Importers are well-prepared to tap on other readily available sources during the stated periods", adding that it would monitor the situation closely.
According to Mr Lee Boon Cheow, 79, president of the Singapore FIsh Merchants' General Association, Singapore gets its seafood from other countries including Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.
Consumers can expect a price hike during Chinese New Year no different from previous years.
Malaysia's fish export ban will not affect the price hike as some fish merchants already have some fish on "standby" in anticipation for the increase in demand over the Chinese New Year period, said Mrs Belinda Lee, vice chairperson of the Seafood Industries Association Singapore.
