Fish prices stabilise in Bahrain as safi drops to BD4 after ban lift

TDT | Manama 

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Fish prices in Bahrain are showing signs of stabilisation nearly a week after the seasonal ban on safi, sheari and andak was lifted, according to a field visit by The Daily Tribune to local fish markets and shops.

Bahraini safi, which had surged to as high as BD5 per kilo on the first day after the ban was lifted, has now eased to BD4 per kilo as supply conditions improve and early demand pressure subsides.

Sheari has also stabilised, now selling at BD3.500 per kilo, after initially fluctuating between BD3.500 and BD4 during the re-opening phase.

The first day of trading after the ban saw limited supply, cautious consumer buying and sharp price increases, with safi reaching between BD4.500 and BD5 per kilo.

However, within six days, prices began to settle, with safi easing to BD4 per kilo, reflecting a gradual return to more balanced market conditions.

Other key seafood prices recorded include hammour at BD6.500 per kilo, seabream at BD3 per kilo, frozen shrimp at BD2.500 per kilo, and maid at BD2 per kilo. Hammour remains the most expensive among the listed varieties, while maid is the lowest.

Market observers say the price movement suggests the seafood market is absorbing the return of local catch after the seasonal restrictions, leading to a more predictable supply pattern.

A worker at Asmak Barbar said prices are now “calmer” compared to the sharp fluctuations seen immediately after fishing resumed, noting that supply is steadily returning to fish stalls.

He added that the coming days will indicate whether prices remain stable or ease further as additional catch enters the market.