JOIN USEarly birds flock markets as flower, fruit prices soar
Prices of flowers are expected to hit the roof as festive fever grips Bengaluru this week. With two festivals - Varamahalakshmi and Onam - slated this Friday, the prices of the already expensive flowers are expected to double in a day or two.
Speaking to Deccan Herald on Sunday, G M Diwakar, president, Flower Market Merchants’ Association, said that besides the fact that two festivals would be celebrated the upcoming week, rains have also contributed to the jump in prices.
“For the last four days, areas around Bengaluru have seen rains. Flowers like shavanthige (chrysanthemum) cannot withstand rain. So, the prices are bound to go up further,” he added.
It is not just the City customers, but also those from Kerala that the market has to cater to, raising the demand further. “We already have people from Kerala buying flowers from KR Market in bulk. Though not jasmine, there is a lot of demand from Keralites for shavanthige, marigold and rose,” Diwakar said.
“Do not be surprised if the price of jasmine shoots up to Rs 1,000 a kg, because of the huge demand,” he said. The City’s markets get their supply of flowers mainly from Gauribidanur, Anekal, Chikkaballapur, Doddaballapur, Bagepalli and Mandya.
However, in festive season, when the demand goes up, jasmine is brought from Tamil Nadu and other neighbouring states too.
“Give me the lotus bud. I do not want the bloomed ones. I want to keep them fresh till Friday,” a woman was heard telling a flower vendor in the bustling KR Market on Sunday. Lotus, which was priced at Rs 15 on Sunday, is likely to touch Rs 50 by Thursday. Scores of people, anticipating that the rise in prices would be steep, might flock the market to purchase in bulk for the festival, traders said.
“People are doing the festive shopping much in advance. Tuesday onwards, the prices will almost double as the demand increases,” said Ramu, a vendor. “There is not much of shavanthige in the market due to the rains.”
Costly fruits
The prices of fruits are also expected to rise during the festivals. At present, the wholesale rate of pomegranate is Rs 130 per kg, it will increase to Rs 200 per kg, say wholesale traders. The price of mosambi (sweet lime) is expected to increase from Rs 50 per kg to Rs 70 and apple from Rs 80 to Rs 120 per kg.