Fish Sales Decline in Ramadan; Prices Drop

With the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, fish prices have dropped in the coastal city of Sinop, Turkey. This comes as the fishing season in the seas continues until April 15, and various types of fish are still available in the market.

Decline in Fish Prices in the Market

Local fishermen who are still fishing at sea have supplied large quantities of different types of fish, including mezgit, istavrit, and kefal, to the market. These fish are currently being sold for 100 lira per kilogram.

While hamsi is available for 150 lira per kilogram, Turkish salmon, which is farmed in cages, is being sold for 200 lira per kilogram.

Significant Drop in Fish Sales During Ramadan

One of the local fish sellers, Ibrahim Coşkun, said:

"With the start of Ramadan, fish sales have dropped by 80%. People are less inclined to buy fish during this month, which is why we were also forced to lower the prices. The price of mezgit and istavrit has dropped to 100 lira, and salmon is now sold for 200 lira."

Reason for the Decline in Fish Prices

Coşkun emphasized that fish is a fresh product that must be sold on the same day, and for this reason, sellers have reduced prices to avoid financial losses.

Reaction from Other Fish Sellers

Another fish seller in Sinop, Ibrahim Gündoğdu, also confirmed the sharp drop in sales and stated:

"Before Ramadan, mezgit and istavrit were sold for 150 lira per kilogram. But now, we have reduced their price to 100 lira. Hamsi, which was previously sold for 200 lira, is now 150 lira. However, there is still very little interest in purchasing, and our sales have significantly decreased."

Future of the Fish Market in Sinop

As the end of the fishing season approaches, fish prices are expected to fluctuate again. If demand does not increase, there is a possibility that prices may drop even further.