Fishmongers – The leading Distributor of Live Fish in the Indian Market
Cooking and consuming live fish has actually been linked to a number of health advantages. Eating live fish helps maintain the fish’s flavor and texture by ensuring that it is as fresh as possible and hasn’t been frozen or kept in storage for a long time. When compared to fish that has been frozen or kept for a long time in storage, live fish is thought to have a higher nutritional value. This is due to the decreased likelihood of vitamin, mineral, and other nutrient loss in freshly caught and immediately prepared fish.
A pivotal role is played by fishmongers as early adopters in the Indian market. Live fish is in great demand in India, but it is rarely found there unless it is caught nearby the coast or on the outskirts of a town. The distribution of live fish to various markets, including wholesalers, has been the responsibility of the fishmonger. They frequently run out of sizable buildings that are built to house and transport live fish using apparatus like tanks, pumps, and filtration systems to keep the fish healthy and alive.
As a matter of fact, and as per the report Growing at a CAGR of 16% with 80 million people suffering from diabetes and with 25 million at a prediabetic stage, India is the Diabetes Capital of the World. Diabetes is in the same category as cancer in the way it impacts a person’s life. Diabetes is scarier than the COVID-19 pandemic. Because COVID can be treated but diabetes stays with the patient till the very last breath. With diabetes one cannot eat one’s regular diet, one loses one’s physical capabilities, kidneys, liver, pancreas, heart, eyes and essentially leads a compromised life which is a painful reality not just for the patient but for all family members around. Diabetes knows no age.
The question is – can we do anything to prevent diabetes? And the answer is – NO. Diabetes is doom.
Scientific evidence across all demographics and societies suggests that the consumption of a higher percentage of protein not only reduces the spike in glucose levels but also helps take care of the deficit that a restricted diet brings about. But is protein consumption an easy task? Protein is found in meat, eggs, tofu, and various other plant-based sources. Plant-based protein is yet to become mainstream and affordable. In terms of animal protein, consuming large quantities of eggs, chicken or mutton is neither a sustainable diet nor safe, unless freshness is guaranteed.
So what do we do to combat Diabetes? Is there anything protein that can be economically sustainably for the consumer, sourced with assured freshness, easily digested, easily available, environmentally sustainable, rich in nutrition, and effective in combating dietary changes to make the battle against diabetes effective enough?
The answer is – FRESH FISH!!
Awards and Achievements – Fishmonger
- Recognised as the Best Design of Live Fish transportation by the World Bank, CII, and DEFRA 2022
- Third Winner in Aqua Aquaria by MPEDA 2019
- Startup winner of Samunnati Awards 2021
- Winner of Icons of Bharat by NDTV 2022
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year by Indian Achievers Forum 2020
Fishmongers Impact (Data)
- As per the research, 25% of fresh fishes are thrown away due to perishability in the supply chain. However, Fishmongers have reduced wastage to 0.5% by selling fish live.
- As per the research, 50% of the seafood is lost due to overfishing. So growing fish through Aquaculture remains the only solution. However, Fishmongers source 100% live fish from inland aquaculture.
- As per the research, the Livelihood of traditional fresh fish farmers and small retailers who are 30% women has never improved. However, Fishmongers help them to earn 20% more premium from the sales of live fish.
Fishmongers have successfully onboarded more than 1400 farmers from West Bengal and more than 105 wholesalers from Bihar and Jharkhand using a business-to-business (B2B) model. In the near future, fishmongers intend to expand their operations to more producing and consuming regions. By giving their customers the live fish they prefer but can’t easily find, fishmongers add value to their customers’ purchases. Additionally, it has been reported that word-of-mouth and organic growth account for 70% of fishmongers’ sales.
Unlike other fresh fish suppliers, fishmongers are the go-to location for live fish, cutting the time from source to consumption center from 10 days to 1–2 days while traveling more than 1,000 kilometers with less than 5% mortality. Fishmongers received a lot of encouragement from Mr. Tapas Paul of the World Bank, who also inspired the team to continue on this journey.
