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The fermented and dried-fish market seem to be going through an arid period due to the rains.[/caption]
Staff Reporter
Dimapur, April 6: The continuous pre-monsoon rain across the northeast eastern states for about a week now couple has not only destroyed crops but also affected a number of tertiary business sectors.
A narrow lane in the area of Durga mandir in the commercial city of Dimapur in Nagaland is a hub for varieties of fermented dried- fish. According to shop owners, the fish comes all the way from Jaki road in Guwahati, Assam, every six months in a year.
A short interaction some dried-fish wholesalers and retailers revealed that the business had gone down because of the weather. It has kept away customers. Moreover, less sunlight during the past few days has attracted moist, spoiling most of the fish.
The dealers said that the fish are usually stored and preserved in shops for only two months. After that, the product no longer fetches a good price so they must have to sell it to some other buyers who mostly use them for animal consumption.
Some also said that the amount of spoiled fish is increasing day by day due to the weather. The dealers only option is to sell them at a very low price, usually not even half the price of the actual cost that is around Rs. 500 per kilogram; which drops down to only Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 per kilogram.
It is a risky business because it requires moderate weather and climatic conditions for storage and preservation, the dealers said. Some added that the fish sometimes loses even its colour if not kept within the right temperatures.
