THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the state has lifted the Nipah alerts and travel advisory, the vegetable and fruit exporters in the state are bearing the brunt as the Gulf countries are yet to lift the restrictions on fruits and vegetables from Kerala. The fruit and vegetable export to Gulf countries, that was expected to increase during the Ramadan season, has suffered a drop by about 90 percent following the Nipah scare. The state government has taken up the issue with the centre and is also using its connections with foreign missions to get the ban lifted.
Major exporters based in Gulf countries are also trying for the same. According to industry sources, the daily export of fruit and vegetables from Thiruvananthapuram airport these days is only around 20 metric tonnes, while it was around 70 metric tonnes normally. Similarly, in Kozhikiode, the exports came down from 50 metric tonnes to 10 mt. Mr Dil Koshy, honorary secretary, Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters' Association (APPFEA), said that they had already given a representation to Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan and that the government was seriously taking up the matter with the centre.
Sources said that the state government had also taken it up with the UAE consulate in Thiruvananthapuram. This apart, those running retail chains in Gulf countries were also trying to convey to the governments there that the Nipah virus outbreak in the state had been contained. Bahrain, UAE and Kuwait are among the countries that have banned fruits and vegetables from Kerala. Even for exports of vegetables from ports in other states, these countries are insisting on proof that the commodities do not have any Kerala connections.
