Traders in trouble as customers stay away from Kasimedu market

Unlike usual weekends, the market received only fewer customers, said traders, adding that even the supply was lesser because fishermen did not venture to the sea due to the lack of business in the last three days. 

“Almost after two months, there was a sudden increase in prices on the first Sunday of Puratasi month, which was unusual. As the sale was good, most of the fishermen ventured out the next day expecting the situation would the same. However, the business fell on the weekdays, which plunged further in the past three days. The market received only about 3040 per cent of the customers, and even the fishermen didn’t go to the sea,” said Vishnu MP, a wholesale trader at Kasimedu fish market. 

The market received less than 60 tonnes of seafood on Sunday, while the prices decreased by 15 per cent. 

Traders said seer fish (vanjiram) was sold for Rs 700 per kg, black pomfret Rs 600 per kg, anchovy (nethili) Rs 300, red snapper (sankara) Rs 350 per kg, sea bass (koduva) Rs 500 per kg, crabs Rs 250 per kg, and squid Rs 250 Rs 300 per kg. 

However, even though the supply was much less than usual, many traders said they were forced to sell some part of the stock away due to absence of sale. “For the next one month, the prices would remain the same, and it could be even lesser during the weekdays. Our sale is also being affected by other traders who are selling seafood bought from other states,” rued Kasinathan P, another trader at Kasimedu market.