The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) is now paying fishermen MVR 23 for a kilogram of skipjack tuna, up from MVR 22.75. The new price took effect on 1 November.
The state-owned company announced the increase to mark its 33rd anniversary. Its price for yellowfin tuna is unchanged: MVR 20 a kilo for fish of 10 to 15 kg, and MVR 25 a kilo for fish over 15 kg.
Six rises since June
MIFCO's skipjack price has risen steadily this year:
7 June: MVR 18.50
9 June: MVR 20
29 August: MVR 21
22 September: MVR 22
19 October: MVR 22.75
1 November: MVR 23
Where fishermen can sell
MIFCO buys fish at its complexes in Felivaru, Kooddoo and Addu, and at the harbours of GDh. Thinadhoo, M. Mulah, HA. Ihavandhoo and Th. Hirilandhoo.
The company said it was committed to fair prices for fishermen and that significant reforms are under way. It said more cold storage and processing capacity is essential to keep fish prices favourable, and that moving from raw fish exports to higher-value processed products would give the country more control over prices.
About MIFCO and skipjack
MIFCO was set up in 1993. It buys fish from local fishermen, processes and exports frozen and canned tuna, and supplies the local market. Skipjack, known in Dhivehi as kalhubilamas, is the country's most important catch and is caught almost entirely by the traditional pole-and-line method.