KOZHIKODE: Amid the Nipah scare, fruit markets at Perambra where the deadly disease first reported in the state, witnessed steady price fall. The trend is spreading into the city, and Guava and mango have entirely lost demand. Earlier mangoes were selling at Rs 70 per kg in Perambra.
"As the demand decreased, we are selling it for Rs 50, and still people are not ready to buy," says Jayaprakash V.K., a fruit dealer in Perambra. "All they ask for is fruits like pineapple and chiku." Although it's summer, juice stalls also face the similar slump in sales. They are in a dilemma and wonder whether it's out of the outbreak fear or because of fasting season.
"People drink flavoured and packed drinks," said a shop owner who preferred anonymity. "We are really panic-stricken and are not eating produces from our own land," says Devi K., a native of Perambra. "Further we are advised by health department even not to have food in plantain leaves," she told DC.
