PANJIM: The sale of poultry, mutton as well as seafood, in Goa has been hit hard amid rumours that the novel coronavirus can transmit through consumption of meat, the prices, of which have fallen considerably as a result.
The people are desisting from consuming meat amid the scare of the deadly virus; coupled with news of swine flu cases being reported in States like Kerala and Gujarat. However, amid apprehensions, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSA) has clarified that there is a misconception about it.
“Though, Goa has not reported any positive case so far, people are very cautious. Customers are not consuming chicken due to rumours that coronavirus can be spread through the chicken. Also, now there is news of swine flu. “People are scared even more,” said Mohammad, a chicken vendor.
He added that the declining demand for chicken has forced them to reduce the prices. Chicken, which was sold at a price of Rs 140-Rs 150 per kg until two weeks back, is now being sold at a rate of Rs 100-Rs110 per kg.
“We have in fact, stopped buying new stock. The only sale that we get is from hotels, which has also reduced by 30-40 per cent,” said Muawar, another chicken vendor
While, until sometime, people were going for mutton, as a substitute to chicken, the demand for it has also now reduced. The prices have declined by almost Rs 200 per kg.
Mutton is now being sold at Rs 600 per kg, as against the price of Rs 800 per kg.
Devendra Kumar, another meat vendor added, “demand of mutton fell drastically in a week’s time. Business has been tough. Diseases such as swine flu and coronavirus have frequently destroyed our business.”
Though, the people are going for fish, their demand is not the same as compared to how it is during regular situations. Fish vendors further claimed that people are avoiding going for big fish, and that there is request for only the small local sea-food.
“No demand for king fish, pomfret and other big fish. People are asking for small local fish,” said a fisherwoman, while adding that ‘the price of the fish items have remained stable, despite no demand’.
FSSAI meanwhile has added that there is no scientific evidence to show that coronavirus spreads through eating chicken, mutton and seafood. The Authority had in fact issued directions urging government authorities to ensure that the sale of these products is not affected.
