In the waters around Taiwan, fish farmers aquaculture mullet fish for their meat and roe, and this year’s first batch is ready to go to market.
The first batch of mullet is in, with more than 5,000 fish weighing an average of three kilograms each. Aquafarmers in Shengang, Changhua pull their mullet crop starting at the beginning of winter, and this year they are particularly excited to see increased market prices for mullet and mullet roe.
A kilogram of mullet has increased from NT$108 to NT$117 (US$3.34 to US$3.62), and the price of mullet roe has gone up from NT$1833 to NT$2000 (US$56.67 to US$61.84). In addition, gourmands believe that the first batch of mullet meat is the fattiest and therefore tastiest, so hundreds of people got up early in the morning to rush to the pier to buy, even at a premium.
One shopper says she arrived at 7 a.m. and plans to buy as much as she can today. Another, traveling from Xinyi Township, is not only buying for himself but also his friends.
Those willing to brave the crowds to obtain these choice mullets had better hurry or the chance may slip away.