Demand for roses from growers in Bangalore have shot up for Valentine’s Day this year, with a 10 per cent increase in exports. Local demand has shot up by 20 percent compared to last year and the roses have been auctioned for upto Rs 10. 90 at the International Flower Auction Centre (IFAC).

This year approximately 85 lakh stems were exported for Valentine’s Day to various countries according to General Manager of IFAC, Monappa K. The majority have been exported to countries in Europe, Japan and Australia.

A Bangalore based rose grower RD Reddy who runs Magna Floritech said his company exported six lakh roses (stems) to the Walmart chain of department stores, UK, at 0.25 Euros per stem. He estimated that between 125 tonnes to 150 tonnes of roses were exported this year.

Local market

The demand for roses for Valentine’s Day, in the local markets too have increased by 20 per cent. Roses which are usually auctioned at Rs 2 or Rs 2.50 were auctioned for as high as Rs 10.90 on Wednesday. On Tuesday and Wednesday alone, five lakh roses were auctioned. Mr Reddy added that his company has supplied one lakh roses through the auction centre to the local market.