Fish prices rose at Chennai’s Kasimedu fish market on Sunday despite lower-than-expected customer turnout during Ayudha Puja, offering some relief to fishermen after a subdued trading day.
Kasimedu is one of Chennai’s major fishing harbours and supplies fish to markets across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. The market typically draws large crowds on Sundays, but fewer customers visited this week even as the Tamil month of Aippasi began.
The reduced turnout was linked to Ayudha Puja, with many people avoiding non-vegetarian food ahead of the festival. Kapilan, honorary president of the Chennai Mechanised Boat Fishermen Welfare Association, said the lower footfall came despite expectations of stronger sales following the end of the Tamil month of Purattasi.
“Despite the low turnout, fish prices have increased compared to October 11, which is a welcome development for fishermen,” Kapilan said.
Market rates showed that an 18-kg basket of Sankara, or red snapper, was sold for Rs 5,000. An 18-kg basket of Paarai, or trevally, was also priced at Rs 5,000, while prawns sold for Rs 4,000 and Kanava, or squid, for Rs 5,000.
Vanjaram, commonly known as seer fish, was priced at Rs 800 per kg, while Kal Eral, or rock lobster, was sold at Rs 450 per kg. Ayala, or mackerel, was being sold for fish oil production, according to the market rates reported from Kasimedu.
The price increase came even as fishermen reported that their catch consisted largely of smaller varieties of fish. This limited the availability of larger fish even while demand remained below the level expected for the first Sunday after Purattasi.
For Chennai consumers, Kasimedu’s weekly price movements provide a direct indication of how festival-related eating habits, customer turnout and daily landings affect retail fish availability. The market’s role as a major supply point also means that changes in prices can influence fish sellers and buyers beyond the harbour area.
Fishermen are expecting a larger crowd at Kasimedu next Sunday, October 25, as consumers are likely to return to buying fish after Ayudha Puja. The expected increase in footfall will determine whether the higher prices recorded this week continue into the next trading cycle.
