TV
As consumers dump chicken due to the outbreak of bird flu in several pockets in Puri, there has been a heavy demand for fish in the market in nearby areas. Due to the heavy demand for fish, the prices have gone up by 10-20% in the market.
After Pipili, bird flu has been reported from Delang in Puri district. As the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has advised people not to consume chicken for some days, consumers were seen flocking to fish markets in huge numbers on Sunday.
While fish prices remained at Rs 180-190/kg on normal days, the prices have gone up to Rs 250/kg after the spread of avian influenza.
“With the bird flu scare among people, consumers are preferring fish over chicken. This has led to a rise in demand for fish in the local markets of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Several varieties are now being sold at a price ranging from Rs 200-250/kg. There is a rise in the prices by Rs 10-15/kg due to the heavy demand,” informed a member of the traders’ association.
When contacted, a consumer said, “Due to bird flu, I’m taking home fish for Rs 210/kg now. There is also a rush in the market and due to the demand for fish, the prices have also gone up. The actual rate is Rs 180-190/kg, but it has increased to Rs 210-250/kg.”
“Generally, the market is busy in the morning. But it is already 10 o’clock now, and the market is still filled with people. Not just fish, the rate of prawns and other marine products have also gone up,” said another consumer.
