Pekan Arowana oversupply hits farms
Arowana oversupply hits farms
Arowana oversupply hits farmsBy Chan Choong Han
my paper
Monday, Apr 30, 2012
An oversupply of the auspicious dragonfish - more commonly known as the Asian arowana - has not only pushed prices down, but also lowered the overall takings of many fish farms here.
Fish farms told my paper that the oversupply of the prized ornamental fish from Malaysia since March last year has led to drops in sales of as much as 30 per cent. Some farms have even resorted to slashing prices by 50 per cent.
The fish - which used to be sold for $120 each for cheaper varieties, and could fetch as much as $5,000 - are now priced between $100 and $4,000. Typically, arowanas imported from Malaysia are crossbreeds.
"Prices have declined and our revenue has gone down, too, even though we sell more fish," said Mr Kenny Yap, executive chairman and managing director of Qian Hu Corporation, an ornamental-fish service provider in Chua Chu Kang.
Still, some fish farms have been able to buck the trend and rake in more profits. Their strategy for countering the oversupply from Malaysia: To sell locally bred, higher-quality pure breeds such as the Highback Golden variety of arowana.
"Its the quality that counts nowadays. We need higher standards to compete in this market," said Mr Kent Heng, 48, manager of Majestic Agri-tainment fish farm in Lim Chu Kang.
Mr Patrick Goh, 38, sole agent for Li Chun Dragon Fish Industry in Lim Chu Kang, said: "I keep only local fish, and they are purebred."
Mr Goh said he has sold 150 Highback Golden arowanas so far this year, compared to 100 last year. Each was sold for between $500 and $900.
He has also sold 50 Golden Crossback arowanas so far this year, compared to 20 last year. The prices for some of his fish - for example, the Golden- head Crossback, a more costly variety that can cost $2,500- $6,000 - have gone up by 15 per cent, helping to raise his profits by 15 per cent.
Mr Heng said: "It really depends on the quality of the arowana. Customers want higher- quality fish, and they are willing to pay more, depending on the quality."
Arowanas are seen as symbols of luck and wealth, and many people enjoy collecting them, like Mr Richard Goh.
Despite the general price reduction for arowanas here, Mr Goh, 52, said: "They are still good to buy and invest in."
The butcher currently has a few hundred arowanas in his collection.
"Because of the reduced prices, I can buy 10 instead of three now. Ten arowanas will certainly bring more luck than three arowanas," he added.
What your take!!!!!
==comments==
More quality arowana? How to improve quality over just a year? I thought it take a few generation of selective breeding to do that? Sounds like more intensifed WTT for common quality fish to "bring up the quality"
>hmm.. how to ensure that the local bred aros ar "pure"?? personally i think the bloodline in an aro is damn complicated, i will say no one can 100% guarentee that this aros are pure... it will all depend on the hobbyist point of view on wat you ar looking for, e.g body shape, shine, gold tone.. to be frank, the current trend "golden head xbacks", can anyone say its a 100 pure xback?
Price wise, what goes up will come down, and then up again.. a good example will be our COE
>Originally Posted by GIN Arowana oversupply hits farms
By Chan Choong Han
my paper
Monday, Apr 30, 2012
Typically, arowanas imported from Malaysia are crossbreeds.
What your take!!!!!
As much as we should support our own local market, the statement above is a bit irresponsible...........
>Aro price quite hard to go up again.......since the universal law of supply versus demand.
As for cross-breeds, its a mixed up, be it SG or MY.
>Bro,
Quality Aro still commands a good price.
So its a matter of price vs quality.
>Originally Posted by Loner Bro,
Quality Aro still commands a good price.
So its a matter of price vs quality. Yes agree, but where got so many quality arowana? In such a short term?
>Just my view.
Simple concept. If you remember how XB look like last time when we buy, without WTT. Its easilier to distinch and choose the quality from the high back or RTG. Present day, putting the WTT into the trade of XB, finding the quality XB and confirming it with basically take you the next 3 to 5 years when it mature.
Singapore farms (majority) do choose and pick the quality XB out from the not so good, over the years. Those are the stock of brooders that ship abroad. It not difficult to get quality XB in Singapore. If you wanted more assurance, goes for those few reputable and known farm that your fish buddy will recommend.
Once again, just my point of view. Appologise if disappoint or offended anyone.
Rgds
>never judge a fish after wtt or tanning. experience counts so ask Luc to help wonder if skyliner is still around...
i prefer to stick to specific farms cos the owners are picky and remain true to breeding quality fishes through selective breeding. past years, too many small farms and hobbyists breeding normal grade aros despite their claims on selective breeding.
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