The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has posted an update on Facebook, urging members of the public not to panic buy seafood after MOH announced that the Jurong Fishery Port will be closed until July 31.

Frozen and chilled seafood options available

Cases of Covid-19 infection were uncovered at the Jurong Fishery Port, prompting the health ministry to close Jurong Fishery Port for two weeks for deep cleaning.

This, said SFA, might have caused consumers to be concerned about the disruption of seafood supply.

"SFA is working closely with stakeholders, such as fish merchant associations and affected merchants and retailers, to minimise the impact on our seafood supply."

One such arrangement is to direct seafood imports to alternative premises, said the agency.

SFA added that Singapore's main supermarket chains have taken steps to increase the supply of seafood in their stores and activate their supply chains to draw from their stocks of seafood.

NTUC FairPrice also posted an update assuring consumers that fresh seafood is still available in stores, with a wide range of frozen seafood to complement demand.

"We would like to encourage customers to only buy what they need," said the supermarket chain.

"There is no need for consumers to rush to purchase seafood. While there may be temporary disruptions to the supply of chilled seafood, frozen seafood options remain available," said SFA.

Long queues at markets, prices increase by 20 to 30 per cent

The Straits Times reported long queues at fish and seafood stalls in Clementi and Ghim Moh today.

Lianhe Zaobao reported that many seafood businesses rushed to buy seafood at the Jurong Fishery Port today, resulting in a spiked demand that pushed prices up by 20 to 30 per cent.

The Chinese paper also reported that some fishmongers at markets have decided to close shop temporarily because of the disruption in seafood supply.

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Top image by Joshua Lee.