ALAPPZHA: With the bird flu crippling the poultry business, the fish market in Kuttanad is gaining ground. The Alappuzha Changanassery road, the hub of duck business till about a week ago, has now completely been taken over by freshwater fish vendors
Saji, a fish vendor from Thottappally who has had his business here for over a decade, says the bird flu has brought a ray of hope to fish vendors as Christmas and New Year are drawing near and duck and chicken will not be sold.
“Our business is picking up and we feel it will gain momentum in the days to come. We are getting additional orders from houseboats”, he said.
The vendors have developed a slew of measures to sell their stock. They are planning to put up a public display of big fishes.
“It’s time we did some business as the demand for fish has scaled up. I don’t know for how many day I can manage to retain this surge in the number of takers, most of them from outside”, says Santhosh, another vendor.
Meanwhile, the All Kerala Houseboat Owners Association (AKHOA), has instructed all houseboats to take duck and chicken off their menu. The association has urged them to go in for fish.
The 30-km-long AC road, which runs through the heart of Kuttanad, is often seen as the centre of fish vendors.
“The number of temporary fish sellers has started going up and this is affecting our business”, said Thampi, a fish vendor from Pallathuruthy who has been into his business here for over 2 decades. I am now focusing on the Christmas New Year season. So I have started stocking more fish”, he said.
