Flower prices shoot up due to Chathurthi, marriages and Onam

MADURAI: Several flowers, which are used especially during the Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations, sold at high prices at major markets in most of southern districts.

As the festive fervour was at its peak, the flower markets in all places across the southern parts of the state witnessed milling crowds since Tuesday morning.

According to M Vinoth, a wholesale flower vendor at the market in Mattuthavani, Madurai, jasmine was selling at Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per kilo. Another reason for the hike in prices was due to the decline in the arrival of jasmine owing to unexpected rains. Some bunches that were not either good or small in size were priced at Rs 1,000 a kilo. Nearly 10 days ago, the same variety (jasmine) sold at Rs 500 a kilo. As for other flowers, including ‘pichi’ and ‘mullai,’ a kilo of each was going at Rs 400 to Rs 500 per kg. The demand for flowers, especially jasmine, was on the rise, since August 31 is an auspicious day for performing marriages, he told DT Next on Tuesday.

However, the market scenario at Thovalai, one of the big markets in Kanniyakumari district, was little different. Makesh, a wholesale dealer from Thovalai, said the highest price of jasmine was Rs 1,200 a kilo. The price has remained stable for the last three days. Last month, a kilo of jasmine flowers was sold at just Rs 300 a kilo due to the Tamil month of ‘Aadi’, Madhukrishnan, florist from Thovalai said. The flower market here is not just confined to Kanniyakumari district, but caters to Thiruvananthapuram and various other places in Kerala.

Another wholesale florist from Thovalai A Muthukrishnan said, unlike previous occasions, the Chathurthi festival this time coincides with the annual start of 10-day Onam, the festival of harvest in Kerala, from August 31. Apart from these, auspicious days of the wedding season also happen during this period. |All these factors are linked to rise in prices.