Flower farmers suffer as traders hike prices unfairly
Guntur: Flower farmers in Andhra Pradesh are on the receiving end due to the exploitation of big traders. They sell flowers at double the purchase price. Currently, jasmine prices are soaring in the markets, but farmers are getting a meager amount of money despite hard work because of traders’ cheating.Currently, traders in Vijayawada buy jasmine from farmers in Pedavadlapudi and Chandragudem villages at Rs 60–Rs 200 per kg, depending on the quality of the flowers. But the traders are selling them at Rs 350–Rs 400 per kg. Farmers are dejected, saying they are not able to recover their investment as well as transport costs.
During the months of May and June, the bloom of jasmine flowers remains very high. During the peak months, 10 tonnes of flowers reach the market every day. However, the supply has dipped in July, making even a single tonne a big deal. Traders take advantage of this low supply and are selling flowers at high rates.
Not to talk of jasmine, even chrysanthemum and marigold prices are extremely high. The jasmine price touched Rs 600/kg and marigold Rs 800/kg. Now, both are still being sold at Rs 400/kg, while traders had bought them for much less.
Farmers are unable to make profits because of such unfair practices, and consumers have to pay extra. It means both are suffering losses, while traders earn a huge amount of money by exploiting the gap in wholesale and retail flower prices.