Low flower prices at Varamahalakshmi festival upset farmers and traders

Bengaluru: Recent rains have disappointed the flower traders on the occasion of the Varamahalakshmi festival, which is falling on Friday. Farmers are upset due to the drop of flower quality and quantity. The prices of flowers are low this year, so gloomy pictures can be seen on farmers’ faces.

The price of jasmine was Rs 1,200–Rs 1,400 per kg, and kanakambara (crossandra) was Rs 1,200 per kg at K.R. Market. In previous years, these flowers were sold for Rs 2,000–Rs 3,000 per kg during this festive season. The price of chrysanthemums was Rs 200–Rs 400 per kg; it depends on how much moisture content there is. While the price of button roses was at Rs 300 per kg. Tuberose and marigolds were available for Rs 300 and Rs 80 per kg, respectively.

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Additional moisture content has damaged the freshness of flowers; they can’t last for a longer period. Therefore, customers are delaying their purchase, thinking to buy them in the nick of time. But traders are hoping that prices may increase on Thursday; the jasmine price may reach Rs 1600 to Rs 2000 per kg.

Flowers are being sold on a massive scale at Varamahalakshmi, but lower prices this year have broken the backbone of the traders, who are worried that weaker demand may continue during the upcoming festivals like Ganesha Chaturthi and Dasara.