Chiayi County launches tilapia production and marketing adjustment measures, accepting registration for purchases starting today

Recently, the pond-side transaction price of tilapia at production sites has come under short-term market pressure and weakened, affected by an increase in the volume of fish from winter pond clearing and concentrated market launches of grey mullet roe-bearing fish competing with it. Therefore, the Fisheries Agency launched tilapia production and marketing adjustment measures, purchasing fish of 600 grams and above at NT$25 per Taiwanese catty (NT$26 for those with production and marketing traceability), to ease supply pressure at production sites. Chiayi County began accepting fisherfolk registrations for purchases from December 19.

In response to weak tilapia prices, the Fisheries Agency launched tilapia production and marketing adjustment measures, and is expected to purchase 4,800 metric tons of fish of 600 grams and above from areas south of Yunlin and north of Kaohsiung. Of this, Chiayi County's purchase target is 1,700 metric tons, and the production-site purchase price is NT$25 per Taiwanese catty (NT$26 for those verified under production and marketing traceability). Any aquaculture fisherfolk who hold an aquaculture fishery registration certificate and have completed the 108th year (2019) stocking volume declaration may register for purchase.

The Chiayi County Agriculture Department stated that fisherfolk intending to register for purchase may apply starting December 19 to the Chiayi County Aquaculture Fishery Production Area Development Association (telephone: 05-3427586; address: No. 2-6, Xindian Village, Yizhu Township, Chiayi County), which will assist cooperative farms in arranging fish collection times, while the county government will carry out pond-side inspection operations. At the same time, the quality and hygiene of the fish submitted for purchase must also meet the requirements of the fish-collecting cooperative farms to ensure quality and food safety.

The Chiayi County Agriculture Department pointed out that the current pond-side price of 600-gram tilapia is about NT$22 to 23. To continuously stabilize production and marketing and raise fish prices, the production and marketing adjustment measures will be implemented until the pond-side price stabilizes back to NT$25 per Taiwanese catty, or the target purchase volume is reached, or February 13, 109th year (2020). Qualified fisherfolk may register with the Chiayi County Aquaculture Fishery Association.