KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese pomfret, a type of fish widely consumed during Chinese New Year, is now selling at an unprecedented price of RM300 per kilogramme by touts.

“Due to poor harvest, the retail price of Chinese pomfret has spiked from RM95 to RM150 per kg, but touts hike the price even higher to RM300 per kg,” said Chia Tian Hee, president of the Malaysian Fish Industries General Association.

“For the same period last year, the price soared to RM115 per kg, but the price has now spiked beyond this,” Chia said.

He said the price also stunned those in the fishery industry.

Chia is unable to explain the poor harvest of Chinese pomfret as other types of fish are available, including prawns.

Other types of pomfrets are golden pomfret, white pomfret and black pomfret.

“Prices of fish and prawns are determined by supply, and a good harvest will see prices down,” he explained.

Chinese pomfret is much sought-after by restaurants, hotels and families during Chinese New Year as a festive delicacy.

It is graded higher than other pomfrets because of its sweetness and tenderness of flesh.

The flesh is smooth and soft with a pleasant flavour.

A good quality Chinese pomfret is also the showstopper at high-end Chinese restaurants.

This fish is also an excellent choice for hot pot as the flesh does not break up easily.

Chia advises consumers to be flexible in the choice of fish when preparing Chinese New Year dishes.

“You may want to replace Chinese pomfret with other types of fish,” he said.