Coronavirus in Kerala: Truck operators feel the pinch

KOCHI: Business of truck operators is affected as Covid-19 continues to raise concern. While trucks transporting fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) are facing a dip in business, those bringing perishable goods like vegetables, fruits and groceries do not witness any plunge in their operations.
The Cochin lorry agents association (CLAA) said that while trucks are arriving from other states, there is a concern regarding trucks going out of the state."As confirmed cases of Covid-19 are being reported from Kerala, there is a concern about the disease spreading," said a member of CLAA. Trucks moving out of the state generally transport timber, plywood, rubber, gypsum, paints and products from FACT and other factories.
He also said that the fall in business of trucks transporting FMCG could be the result of year-end sales. As traders are focused on clearing old stock, they might not be ordering fresh stocks.
Ernakulam market stall association general secretary K K Asharaf said that trucks carrying vegetables regularly arrive in the city. However, as mega functions like marriages are being cancelled, the demand has decreased considerably. Catering groups are also cancelling bulk orders.
"Merchants are forced to sell perishable vegetables at a lower price to clear stock. The price of carrot has come down to Rs 40 from Rs 50 per kg. There is no significant impact on prices of other vegetables. However, the price of local variety of long beans has gone up to Rs 40 from Rs 30 per kg," he said. Asharaf also said that despite the Covid-19 alarm, labourers and employees working in the market arrive without fail. He said that the merchant community is willing to cooperate with the health department and other officials to contain the disease.
The container truck owners' coordination committee said that there is a serious dip in the movement of trucks to and from Vallarpadam. Committee chairman Shameer Padavungal said there is a sharp decline in coastal container movement. "The coastal containers generally come from Gujarat. Movement of international containers have gone haywire. It will take at least three to four months to recover from the situation," he said.