Costly delicacy
Dry fish producers struggle with high costs and low demand
In Negombo, where many people are employed in dry fish production, high prices have created new issues. Manuel Anthony, the President of the Sinthathri Matha Dry Fish Association said that the high cost of salt, barrels, and gunny sacks — items essential for dry fish production — have made it difficult for the industry to survive.
“Salt prices have more than doubled,” he said, “and it’s very difficult to get pure salt uncontaminated with mud which is important for the quality of the fish.” Anthony blames the VAT for the increase in prices, but he also notes that salt manufacturers charge less and that the middle-men increase the price significantly. The Sinthathri Matha Dry Fish Association has drafted a letter to the Fisheries Ministry with a list of demands including reduced prices for gunny sacks, plastic barrels, salt, and necessary polythene. He also wants the government to enable the dry fish producers to buy from the salterns in Mannar, Hambantota, Puttalam, and Trincomalee.
Rain or shine, dry fish production continues, but the weather certainly impacts the industry. Producers have an agreement to purchase a set amount of fish from fishermen, but when the weather is good and the catch is plentiful fish prices reduce, and dry fish prices increase making it difficult for dry fish producers to sell their product. When the season changes, however, the reverse will be true as the demand for dry fish will increase and fresh fish will reduce. The economic crisis too has impacted income, says Jude, a dry fish seller, as people have halved the amount they purchase.
Income has reduced and dry fish producers are burdened with debt. Anthony says that many do daily wage labour to supplement their income, but it isn’t enough. “The government needs to take better care of fishermen,” he said, “many people have left the industry.”