The pandemic has upended the way we live and love, but roses remain a sought-after symbol on Valentine’s Day. While demand and exports have risen when compared to the past two years, rising freight charges, unseasonal rains, and lack of new varieties are exposing the thornier side of this rosy picture. Floriculturists are feeling acutely with increasing cost of production of roses and hike in the price of international cargo.
The production of roses and other flowers has been low with over 30% of growers abandoning the occupation after COVID-19. This, along with constant rains in August-September-October, has created a huge supply shortage in the market and subsequently, prices of all varieties of flowers went up by nearly 200% to 300%, as compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Usually, roses are sold in the local markets for ₹5 per stem in the September-October months. The same period in 2021 saw the prices soaring to ₹15 and ₹18 a stem, before it peaked to ₹25 in December. Prices remain high in the ₹12-15 range as the demand and supply gap is only widening, industry watchers.
Dependence on old varieties
Royalty issues are yet to be settled as a result of which no new varieties are being produced. T. M. Aravind from the South India Floriculture Association said it costs around ₹85 lakh to ₹90 lakh to produce a new variety of roses in one acre, which includes royalty of ₹ 100 per plant. “growers have been demanding resolution of the royalty issue. Hence, many growers are still dependent on old varieties,” he said.
The South India Floriculture Association (SIFA) said there is demand for Taj Mahal (a variety of red rose) and Revival (a variety of light pink rose) in the international market. Every day, around 5 to 6 lakh stems are traded at the International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB). This has been the trend over the past week or so. Roses from here are exported to Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and countries in the Middle East and Europe, said M. Vishwanath, managing director, IFAB.
Restrictions on outbound flights
However, air bubble has significantly restricted outbound flights. Also, freight charges remain unreasonably high,” observed Yeshosha Karuturi, co-founder of Hoovu Fresh, a Yelahanka-based firm that sells over 50 varieties of flowers, including roses and lotus.
Mr. Aravind claimed the freight charges had increased by nearly 40%. This, he stated, was dissuading growers from exporting their produce. SIFA was now planning to submit a memorandum to both the Central and State Governments seeking a subsidy for exporters. “We will do so after the Valentine’s Day season is over,” he added.
