SINGAPORE — Malaysia plans to restrict the export of five types of fish and shrimp  twice next year — between Jan 1 and Feb 28, and again between May 1 and June 30 — the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) revealed on Wednesday (Dec 19).

It was previously reported on Monday (Dec 17) that Malaysia would be restricting the export of four types of fish and shrimp, and only in the first two months of the new year.

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This had some fishmongers warning that prices of these seafood will likely jump by 30 to 40 per cent during the Chinese New Year period, TODAY reported on Tuesday.

However, the AVA said in response to TODAY’s queries that the export restrictions are unlikely to have a significant impact on Singapore’s overall seafood supply, as the affected species make up less than 10 per cent of Singapore’s total seafood supply.

Importers are also “well-prepared to tap on other readily available sources”, the AVA said.

The AVA added that such export restrictions are not new.

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“In October 2018, Malaysia informed AVA that it would implement its seasonal export restrictions on five species of fish, and prawns/shrimp from 1 Jan to 28 Feb 2019 and 1 May to 30 Jun 2019,” it said.

“Such export restrictions have been in place over the past six years, due to lower supply during the monsoon season and higher demand during festive periods.”

AVA said that the affected species — similar to previous years — are:

• kembong (Indian mackerel)

• pelaling (short bodied mackerel)

• selar (horse mackerel)

• salayang/sardin (sardine)

• bawal putih (silver pomfret)

• udang (all species of shrimp and prawn)