Swathed in hues of varied shades of flowers, the flower markets welcomed the nine-day long festival of Navratri wearing a festive look on Saturday but at the same time compelled devout Hindus to shell out more money for a garland or a nosegay of flowers.
The prices of flowers, especially marigold, has increased threefold with the advent of the festive season in the Capital. A medium-size marigold garland is available for Rs 40 though it was normally sold at Rs 10 per piece before Navratras. Florists cannot nip price rise in the bud.
Rising threefold, the price of the most commonly used flower during festivals, marigold, which was Rs 60 per kilo is now between Rs 150-180 per kilo. The retailers selling flowers outside the 800-year-old and famous Gauri Shankar Temple in the heart of the Capital unanimously said that the price of flowers has gone up, leaving them with almost little or no profit margin.
“Marigold, tube rose and roses are sold the most during the festive season. While marigold rates have tripled, the prices of roses and tube roses have doubled. Roses are available for Rs 250 a kilo while tube roses are for Rs 400 a kilo,” informed a retailer of Rajender Saini Flower Shop, selling blooms for over five decades near the temple in Chandni Chowk. “The most popular blossom — the crape jasmine — is being sold between Rs 400-500 while its usual rate is Rs 200 per kilo,” he added. For those buying garlands, the price of a medium-size garland varies between
Rs 40 to Rs 400 depending upon the flowers that have been used.
“This year, the prices of flowers have doubled, mainly because of low produce and washout by rains,” said another florist. “The most expensive garland is made with roses, tube roses, marigold and lilies. The prices of these can go upwards of Rs 500,” said another florist, adding that despite the skyrocketing prices they do not make a profit margin of more than 5 per cent.
The retailers buy flowers in bulk mostly from Ghazipur Mandi (wholesale flower market) and quite a lot of it goes waste as flowers wilt within two days. “At least 15 per cent of what we purchase goes waste. Besides, if garlands are being made then a lot of flowers remain unused,” said Ramesh, a florist.