Price of anchovy plunges as fish returns to Black Sea in flocks

TRABZON

Anchovy herds have returned to the Black Sea as the temperature drops, prompting the price of Turkey’s popular fish to plunge.

The price of anchovy rose sharply earlier this season as anchovy’s herds migrated to the shores of Russia and Georgia and harsh weather conditions prevented fishing boats from heading out to sea.

However, the price of anchovy declined to as low as 10 liras per kilo this week from 25 liras a week ago.

There are now plenty of anchovies in the boats of fishermen and the stalls of fish retailers especially in the Black Sea provinces of Trabzon and Rize and the Hopa district of Artvin province.

Akif Keleş, a local fish retailer on the northern coasts of Turkey, said he was selling anchovy for 10 liras per kilo last week.

“A week ago, we were selling anchovies imported from Georgia and the unfavorable weather conditions also affected the price of the fish. We had had a bad season but now we have plenty of anchovies on our stalls,” Keleş said.

Durmuş Sargül, a shopper, said produce from the Black Sea region is superior to produce elsewhere.

“The anchovies of this region are much more delicious than the ones in the Marmara region. And also you cannot buy fresh anchovies at such a low price in Istanbul,” Sargül added.