Navi Mumbai: Surge in Fish Supply Brings Down Wholesale Prices at Uran’s Karanja Market

A sharp increase in fish arrivals at the Karanja-Dronagiri fishing port in Uran has pushed down wholesale prices, with fishermen saying the sudden arrival of several boats at the same time has created an oversupply and added to their financial difficulties.

The fishing season began on August 15, but fishermen had faced poor catches for nearly a month, resulting in higher fish prices. With more boats now returning to the port, supplies have increased substantially and prices have started declining.

Bombay duck, which was selling at Rs 150-200 per kg in June and July, is now available for around Rs 50 per kg. The fall in prices has benefited consumers, although fishermen and fish traders have raised concerns over the impact on their earnings.

The newly established 600-metre fishing dock at Karanja has enabled boats from the Uran coastline to unload their catch locally, reducing the need for fishermen to travel to Mumbai’s Sassoon Dock and Bhaucha Dhakka for fish sales. More than 700 fishing boats operate from coastal areas including Karanja, Mora, Dighode and Aware.

The Karanja market now attracts wholesalers, traders and local consumers, with around 30-40 varieties of fish available. Popular varieties include prawns, pomfret, surmai, rawas, kolet, halwa, kupa and Bombay duck.

Current wholesale prices at the market include prawns at Rs 200-250 per kg, pomfret at Rs 600-1,000, surmai at Rs 400-800, kolet at Rs 600-1,000 and halwa at Rs 200-400.

Fisherman and fish trader Vinayak Patil said irregular weather, including fluctuations in sunshine, wind and rainfall, had already affected fishing activity. The simultaneous arrival of several boats has now resulted in a decline in wholesale prices, he said.

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