Govt to fix fish price at MVR 20 per kg, president says

President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday said the government will fix the price of fish at MVR 20 per kilogram in a sustainable manner.

Speaking in M. Dhiggaru, the President said the fisheries industry remains the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism, and the government is working to deliver its commitments to the sector.

He noted that the pledge to pay fishermen within 48 hours of purchase has been fulfilled, with payments made without interruption since last year’s Fishermen’s Day.

“When we took office, there was a backlog of about MVR 250 million. It took a year to bring payments back on track,” President Muizzu said.

He added that the next priority is the MVR 20 fish price pledge.

“That is something we want to achieve sustainably and continuously. We do not want to make it MVR 20 in name only. The government is working with MIFCO, the Ministry of Fisheries and other relevant stakeholders to ensure this,” he said.

The President emphasised that some measures cannot be implemented immediately and that delays should not be seen as failure to honour commitments.

Currently, the state-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) purchases fish based on international market prices and export costs. Purchase prices are revised weekly, with the current rate averaging around MVR 16 per kilogram.

The MVR 20 per kilogram price remains one of President Muizzu’s key pledges to fishermen.