Demand and sale of Rambutan fruit plummet on Nipha virus scare

Kozhikode: The demand for Rambutan fruit in the district has plummeted after the reports that the 12-year-old boy who died due to Nipah had consumed Rambutan fruit bitten by a bat.

This speculation severely affected the wholesale and retail fruit business in the district. However, the health ministry has assured that there is no problem in consuming the fruit, if it is not contaminated.  

“For the last two years, the business was largely dull due to Covid-19. To the woes, the sale of fruits, especially Rambutan, Guava and Sapota, has gone further down with the Nipah outbreak. We didn't take Rambutan for the last two days due to lack of demand. Even if we buy, we may not be able to sell ,” Shankaran, a wholesale dealer from the Palayam market, told mathrubhumi.com

Much of the Rambutan arrive at Palayam market from Wayanad and Ernakulam. Further, the fruit is also brought locally from nearby areas of Kozhikode. “We get Rambutan at Rs 190 and sold for a price ranging from Rs 200 to 220. However, the price and demand of the fruit are falling rapidly,” a fruit seller said.  

In the meantime, health professionals have come forward to share the necessary precautionary measures to be taken to avoid getting infected.  “Care should be taken to avoid eating fruits which are bitten by bats or fallen down. Wash fruits thoroughly before consuming. This will help eliminate the virus.  Fruit is an essential nutrient for good health and it contains a lot of vitamins. Therefore, it is essential to eat fruits during these Covid times to gain immunity,” said Dr Jayakrishnan, Professor of Govt. Medical College, Kozhikode.