Pinning hopes on coming weekend for sales to pick up
Variety of dry fish including the much-sought after sollea (sting ray) on display and sale at the Purumentachem fest at Margao.
MARGAO
As the seven-day Purumentachem fest at Old Market, Margao, reaches its midway stage, traditional fisherfolk participating in the annual fair are anxiously waiting for business to pick up, with dry fish sales witnessing an unexpected slump during the first four days of the event.
Rows of stalls lined with an assortment of dry fish — from the highly sought-after sollea (sting ray) to mackerels and several other varieties — have become a familiar attraction at the fair, drawing visitors from across Salcete and neighbouring talukas every year over the decades. The festival traditionally serves as an important marketplace where households stock up on dry fish and other essentials ahead of the monsoon season.
However, this year, fish vendors say the response from buyers has been unusually lukewarm.
Traditional fisherwomen at the fair claimed that despite the steady footfall at the venue, sales of dry fish have remained negligible so far, something they describe as unprecedented in recent years. With the fair set to conclude on Sunday, many vendors are now pinning their hopes on the coming weekend to salvage the season.
“We have no idea why people have not come in large numbers to make dry fish purchases at the Purumentachem fest this time,” said fisherwoman Alice Fernandes, expressing concern over the poor turnout of buyers.
Alice suspects that the timing of the festival may have affected consumer spending. “Perhaps people are waiting for the end of the month to receive their salaries and wages before making purchases. We are keeping our fingers crossed because we have hardly done any business so far,” she said.
She added that dry sting rays are being sold at comparatively moderate prices this season, with pairs priced between Rs 300 and Rs 500. “There are considerable expenses involved before the fish is ready for sale. We have to pay fish cutters anywhere between Rs 20 and Rs 30 per kilogram before the fish is dried,” she explained.
Another traditional fisherwoman, Fatima Goes, echoed similar sentiments and described the current season as one of the slowest in recent years.
“This is perhaps the first time we are witnessing such slack business at the Purumentachem fest,” she said. “Maybe people are postponing purchases because they have not yet received their salaries. Still, we are hopeful that more customers will visit the fair during the weekend.”
Fish vendor Josephina Fernandes too remained cautiously optimistic, hoping for a turnaround before the curtains come down on the festival.
“Business is definitely lower compared to last year,” she said. “But there are still four days left for the fair to end. We trust that there will be good business before Sunday.”
Despite the subdued sales so far, the spirit of the Purumentachem fest remains intact, with traditional vendors continuing to showcase Goa’s age-old dry fish trade and culinary heritage while hoping that the remaining days of the festival will bring the much-needed rush of customers.
