By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With the ensuing New Year celebrations there is a huge demand for fishes and meat all over the city.
The fish and meat vendors in the city are getting huge orders for the last few days as they say that fish and meat consumption generally goes higher during the festive season.
A fish vendor from Polo said that he has order for 75 kg of fishes of different varieties which has to be delivered by December 31 and is expecting it to go to 100 kg.
“During this time of the year there are varieties of fishes available in the market and with the New Year this is just the right time to go for the fish brands,” he said. He also said that fishes like Illish, Tengra, Prawns (big and small), Cheetol, Katla etc. are in high demand now.
Similarly fish vendors in Laban and Jail Road are also experiencing advance booking for fishes. “I have customers who have ordered for fishes by the third week of December for the New Year celebration,” said a vendor from Laban. She also said that such demand for fishes was also there during the last Durga Puja celebrations.
Another fish vendor from Jail Road said that during the New Year customers don’t mind the price of fishes and they go at their favorites. And the most advantageous market in this regard is Laitumkhrah Municipal Market.
However, customers said that they depend more on Iewduh for their fish and meat requirements. “Fishes like Katla and Cheetol are costly now but I have orders for these fishes more than any other variety,” said a fish vendor from Iewduh.
Even customers said that in comparison it is better to buy the higher priced fishes from Iewduh than in any other markets of the town. “For the seasonal varieties Iewduh is the best buy market,” said many fish buyers from the city.
Even meat vendors are flooded with offers from customers. “I have returned some customers telling them sorry since I will not be able to meet their requirements,” said a meat vendor from Laitumkhrah. A chicken vendor from Iewduh said that she has ordered for more quantity this year as she ran out of stock last year. Besides fishes and meat, there is large scale demand for sweets, too. “New Year is a time for good wishes and sweets gowell,” said a sweet vendor from Police Bazaar. He is echoed by a sweet vendor from Laitumkhrah. “Generally, sweet forms a diet of every individual and its consumption goes up during the festive season,” he said.