Why middlemen, buyers fight over beche-de-mer

THE Bechedemer-buying season has opened in Solomon Islands prompting an urgent review of prices being offered locally for the lucrative marine delicacy to match prices being paid in Asia.

HIGH –VALUE TROPICAL BECHE-DE-MER ON SALE IN JARS IN HONG KONG

Upper-left: H. lesson, Lower-right: H. fuscogilva, Lower-centre: H. scabra

Information obtained by Solomon Star shows the average price across species in Hong Kong for example ranged from USD15/kg to USD385/kg. This is equivalent to SBD120/kg to SBD3, 055/kg but warned this price range might have changed over the past few years.

“This price range may have increased over the past few years. One Store in Hong Kong had a selling price for Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) and Golden Sandfish (Holothuria lessoni) for US$1,668/kg (i.e. SB$13,238/kg),” according to the information.

“Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) of 8cm length, sells for US$165/kg (i.e. SB$1,310/kg) and

Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) of 12cm length sells for US$840/kg (i.e. SB$6,666/kg).”

It also shows the highest value and of great demand species of beche-de-mer in Hong Kong and other Asian Countries as:

·         Sandfish (Holothuria scabra)

·         White Teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva)

·         Black Teatfish (Holothuria whitmaei)

·         Golden Sandfish (Holothuria lessoni)

·         Prickly Redfish (Thelenota ananas)

According to the information, bechedemer size and sale price are species-specific and highly varied.

BDM SUPPLY CHAIN FROM THE PACIFIC TO ASIA

“There is a need for better regulations and enforcement of minimum size limits,” it said.

The Bechedemer harvesting season was approved by Cabinet about two weeks ago in what some said was intended as a cover for those who have been illegally harvesting bechedemer, particularly in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI). - By ALFRED SASAKO, Solomon Star Newspaper (11/09/2021)