Kolkata: The prices of animal protein, from chicken to eggs and fish, have surged dramatically, straining household budgets. Chicken, the cheapest variety of animal protein, has gone up by Rs 100 in a month. A significant gap between demand and supply continues to push prices higher. Almost all varieties of fish have seen steep price rise as well, forcing many citizens to cut corners or substitute fish with eggs.However, even the price of eggs has risen to around Rs 7-Rs 8 a piece as of Wednesday.
The fish supply is currently insufficient to meet the demand. During this period, sea fish is typically unavailable due to a two-month fishing ban in the sea (from April 15 to June 14). The lack of sea fish has led to a steady increase in prices and irregular supply. Despite the ban period's end, the fish supply still needs to be consistent, said Milan Das of Dakshin Banga Matsyajibi Forum
By June second week, the market gets filled with various sea fish, including Hilsa, thanks to the monsoon. However, this year, the situation is quite different. Not only is Hilsa absent, but other sea fish are also scarcely available. Consequently, the fish that are available are being sold at higher prices, according to Amar Das, a fish vendor.
Customers are expressing their frustration, stating that there is no control over market prices. “We are forced us to cut corners vigorously to strike a balance, which often becomes an impossible tight-rope walking,” said Indrani Sarkar, a school teacher in Behala. “Average Bengali families survive on fish. Without fish, our platters become tasteless. Recently, we have been sacrificing a lot by shifting from fish to eggs. But even the price of eggs is now jumping up every day," said Samiran Das, a food blogger.