Bengaluru sees increase in fruit and flower prices ahead of Varamahalakshmi festival

Bengaluru: With the festival season underway, the prices of fruits and flowers have nearly doubled, and traders expect further hikes ahead of the Varamahalakshmi festival.

Chrysanthemum and rose, which typically cost Rs 180 to Rs 200 per kilogram, are now priced at Rs 400 in the KR Market wholesale section. Jasmine has crossed Rs 600 per kilo, with even higher rates in retail.

"The prices usually rise during festivals, but Varamahalakshmi is the biggest. Rates will peak further in the next two days,” said GM Diwakar of the KR Market Flower Merchants’ Association.

Fruit prices have also surged.

Yelakki banana has touched Rs 150, while apples and pomegranates have crossed Rs 250 per kg. “Rates may touch Rs 300 or Rs 350 soon,” said Rathnamma, a fruit vendor. The rates of mosambi have also seen a hike, touching Rs 150 per kg.

Traders blame heavy rains for crop damage and poor supply. “Cloudy weather affects storage and transport, pushing prices up,” said flower seller Range Gowda.

Retail vendors echoed the concerns. “Stock is low, and prices have stayed high for a week. We expect another spike,” said Syed Pasha, a vendor in Malleswaram.

Varamahalakshmi will be celebrated on Friday, followed by Krishna Janmashtami and Gowri-Ganesha festivals later this month.

What you have to pay (per/kg in wholesale markets)

Chrysanthemum: Rs 300-Rs 400

Rose: Rs 300-Rs 400

Jasmine: Rs 500-Rs 600

Yelakki banana: Rs 120-Rs 160

Pomegranate: Rs 250-Rs 300

Mosambi: Rs 100-Rs 150