Salted fish industry faces challenges due to unpredictable weather

TUMPAT - As the Northeast Monsoon season sets in, salted fish producers are grappling with challenges in processing their fish, due to the unpredictable weather conditions.

A seasoned entrepreneur from Pantai Geting, Osman Ghani, 60, explained that he often has to move his drying fish in and out of his stall multiple times a day - sometimes three to five times - due to sudden rain.

"The situation has slowed down the drying process and affected sales, even though customers still come to buy the fish," he said.

Osman added that he processes various types of salted fish, including gelama, kikik, and talang, which are sold at prices ranging from RM35 to RM42 per kilogramme.

He noted that sunlight is essential for producing dried fish, making it especially challenging for entrepreneurs like him to maintain supply during the current weather conditions.

The father of three shared that, during the first wave of the recent floods, his stall was inundated with water up to his knees, causing damage to several items, including bottles of budu (fermented anchovy sauce).

"I am currently in the process of cleaning out the mud and sand in the stall, with the help of my wife, Ramlah Hussin, 60," he said, adding that he suffered additional losses when supplies of dried fish and budu were washed away by the floodwaters.

Meanwhile, Wan Sapiah Wan Yusof, 46, said that she and her three workers had worked tirelessly before the monsoon season to prepare dried fish, to avoid supply shortages.

"Unfortunately, this time, the stock was impacted, and many items were damaged because my stall was also affected by the flood," she added.

Despite the challenges of uncertain weather, Wan Sapiah remains determined. "I will do my best to ensure a steady supply of salted fish for customers who visit the stall," she said, noting that she also produces budu. - BERNAMA