Chennai, 19 October (H.S.) : The highly anticipated rush for meat and seafood on the first Sunday following the end of the sacred Tamil month of 'Purattasi' saw an unexpected downturn in Chennai this year. The month, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, traditionally sees Hindu consumers abstain from non-vegetarian food, making the subsequent Sunday a peak sales day.
The first Sunday of the 'Aippasi' month, which usually witnesses a massive market rebound, coincided with the Deepavali long weekend, leading to a significant lull in sales as a large population vacated the city for their native places.
Chennai's meat traders confirmed the disappointing trend, with sales falling sharply below expected levels. C Balasubramanian, General Manager of Saraswathi Group, a retailer of chicken, stated, I would say about 40 per cent less than our usual Sunday sale. This is because most people in Chennai have left to their native places to celebrate the festival with families.
The price of chicken had, however, bounced to Rs 240-Rs 260 per kilo from the Rs 200 seen during Purattasi. Similarly, S Salauddin, General Secretary of the Chennai Mutton Merchant (Retailers) Association, noted a disappointing first 'Aippasi' Sunday in a long while. He added that traders foresaw the lack of demand, resulting in only a nominal price increase, with mutton selling for Rs 750 to Rs 780, up from Rs 700.
While chicken and mutton sales lagged, the seafood market presented a contrasting picture. Fish merchant Danniesh, popularly known as 'Kasimedu Meenavan,' reported a brisk business, noting that people tend to buy and stock fish a couple of days before Deepavali, fearing a lack of supply on the festival day.
This pre-festival stocking pushed up prices for popular varieties, with 'vannjaram' (Indo-pacific king mackerel) hiking to Rs 1,200-Rs 1,300 from its usual rate of Rs 800-Rs 900.
Despite the Sunday slump for meat, traders remain optimistic, with Salauddin concluding, Hopefully, tomorrow, on Deepavalli, we'll make up for the lack of sales today.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
