In the season of drying freshwater fish

This year, the floodwaters are at a high level, and the amount of freshwater fish is also greater than in previous years. These days, at the markets in the Dong Thap Muoi region of Tay Ninh province, the trading atmosphere of dried freshwater fish is more bustling, and the output of dried products is also higher than usual.

Coming to Tan Hung market these days, you will see a lot of fish drying racks. Each person has a job. Some prepare fish, some trim fins, some cut fish, some prepare and marinate. Inside the market, the dried fish stalls are beautifully displayed with many different types. Small traders are busy weighing, packaging, labeling for shipping according to orders.

People in the season of drying freshwater fish

Ms. Le Thi Diem, a trader at Tan Hung market, said: “Rural fish are available all year round, but there are more during flood season. On average, I process about 50-70kg of fresh fish per day, double the amount of previous years.”

The dried fish here is made from freshwater fish such as snakehead fish, catfish, loach, perch, goby fish, etc. The fish is processed from fresh fish, handmade through many stages such as cleaning, removing bones, marinating with spices and drying directly under the sunlight.

In particular, the seasoning step is very important to create a unique flavor and this is also the secret of each person who makes the dish. The dried fish is marinated with spices (salt, garlic, MSG, chili, ...), then dried to retain the natural sweetness, toughness, and aroma of the fish.

According to Ms. Nguyen Kim Tuyen, owner of a dried fish business at Vinh Hung market, the fish are selected fresh, dried naturally without dryers or preservatives. To make 1kg of dried snakehead fish or catfish, about 4kg of fresh fish is needed; 1kg of dried loach or snakehead fish requires about 3kg of fresh fish; 1kg of dried goby fish requires about 6kg of fresh fish.

Currently, the price of dried fish is stable compared to previous years. Dried loach and snakehead fish cost from 400,000-500,000 VND/kg, snakehead fish from 350,000-400,000 VND/kg, catfish 350,000 VND/kg, goby 230,000 VND/kg, etc.

Many dried fish products in the Dong Thap Muoi region of the province have been recognized as OCOP products and are available in many places inside and outside the province, some of which are even exported abroad. The fish drying profession not only helps people become more prosperous but also creates jobs for many idle workers to earn extra income during the flood season./.

Trung Kien - Truong Hai

Source: https://baolongan.vn/vao-mua-lam-kho-ca-dong-a205578.html