A fish dealer takes the catch of fishers and boat owners on consignment, sells it by the kilo to market vendors, restaurants and buyers at the landing, and keeps a commission before paying the boat owner. Many also buy pond fish outright. Most start at a landing or market with scales, crates, ice and a few suki boats; the money is made on volume, selling fast and paying boat owners on time.

This guide walks through what it takes to start a fish dealer in the Philippines: the capital, the monthly costs, the permits and the first 90 days. The peso figures are sample estimates for a landing consignment stall in Cebu as of October 2026; get your own quotes before you decide.

How much capital you need

The sample comes to about ₱297,150 including one month of fixed costs kept as a cash buffer. It splits into equipment (₱63,500), stall setup (₱15,000), permits and deposits (₱21,600), advances and float (₱140,000), opening stock (₱5,000), launch (₱2,500) and working capital (₱49,550). Other ways to start: fish buy-and-sell for restaurants at ₱150,000–₱300,000 and dealer shipping fish to other islands at ₱1 million and up.

Monthly costs and break-even

Fixed costs in the sample are ₱49,550 a month; the biggest are helper wages (₱31,200), stall or landing space rent (₱6,000) and SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG (₱4,350). Each kilo sold earns about ₱13 after its own costs, so the break-even is 144 kilos a day, and the startup capital comes back by month 12 if sales start slow and build up.

Permits and registration

Register the business name with DTI (or SEC or CDA), then get the barangay business clearance, the Mayor's permit through the city or municipal BPLO, and BIR registration; register with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG once you hire. A fish dealer also needs: stall or landing permit, sanitary permit and health certificates, papers to ship fish to other islands (ask) and weighing scale check and seal. Requirements and fees differ by city, so ask each office for its checklist first. DTI Negosyo Centers help for free.

Where to set up

  • At or near a fish landing where boats unload
  • In the fish section of a busy public market
  • Near restaurants and processors you can supply
  • With road access for buyers' vehicles

Mistakes to avoid

  • Buyers pay late while boat owners want cash. Keep a cash float, set buyer credit limits, and collect before giving more credit.
  • Fish spoils before it is sold. Ice it right away, sell the most perishable first, and lower prices before quality drops.
  • Disputes over weights or shares. Weigh in front of both sides, write receipts with copies, and settle the same day.
  • Days with no catch. Keep the cash buffer, and add pond fish bought outright for steady supply.

Plan it with the starter kit

The Fish Consignment Dealer · Negosyo Starter Kit has every worksheet behind this guide in a 26-page PDF, plus an Excel calculator: type in your own quotes and it works out your capital, break-even, profit and payback month. It costs ₱349 and downloads right after payment.