For St. Nicholas Day, the price per kilogram of carp in Ruse exceeded 12 leva. If it is prepared for direct consumption, the amount can double. However, there is no guarantee that the fish is Danube, traders warn, BNT reported.
The reason is that the catch of carp in the river at this time of year is minimal.
Although they are on the banks of the Danube and this year, the people of Ruse will not put Danube carp on their table for St. Nicholas Day.
Sunay Sabriev, fisherman and owner of a fishing shop: Carp is a heat-loving fish. It's just that the level is very high at the moment and it is very difficult to catch it.
Sibel Hasanova's family has two shops. In one they offer live fish, and in the other they offer ready-made fish dishes. They rely on suppliers from the nearby Danube village of Ryahovo.
Sibel Hasanova, fishmonger: We even have customers who come from other cities specifically for Danube fish. From time to time, Danube carp comes out, it is really very weak this year for Danube fish.
Nedelcho Nedelchev, fishmonger: The import of foreign fish from Greece, from Turkey, is increasingly entering our market.
People who do not have time for fishing, and the price is not within their pocket, will also keep the tradition, but will choose more affordable fish.
Sibel Hasanova, fishmonger: In addition to carp, whitefish, catfish, bream, barbel, silver bream are more often sought after.
Control remains tightened. All 13 specialized stores, warehouses, restaurants and markets for the production and sale of fish and fish products are being inspected.