Prices of flowers shoot up

CUTTACK: The recent floods in West Bengal have cast a shadow on Cuttack’s flower market. In the wake of an acute shortage of flowers in the local market for the last 10 to 15 days, prices of almost all the flowers here have shot up sharply.Florists said flower production has been severely affected by the incessant rains in the last two weeks in West Bengal as a result of which, supply to Cuttack has been hit, resulting in price rise. They said there was a growing demand for flowers in the wake of Rath Yatra and wedding season even as flower prices have gone beyond the reach of common man. Flower requirements are mostly from Howrah and Deolia regions of West Bengal with at least flowers worth Rs 2 lakh is being dispatched to Cuttack from these areas on a daily basis. The figure, however, has drastically come down now. According to a flower wholesaler of Chaudhary Bazaar Pratap Das, the flowers worth Rs 50,000 to 70,000 are being supplied to Cuttack now from West Bengal. “Besides, if we are ordering for a quintal of flowers, a substantial amount is being discarded due to bad quality. Whatever remains is sold at high rates,” he said.He said as always, demand of marigold is high but this time, it is not being supplied in sufficient quantity. This flower is largely used for making garlands. Market sources said while a garland of marigold costs around Rs 5 two weeks back, it is being sold at Rs 30 to 35 now. Similarly, while prices of jasmine and tuberose have almost doubled, rates of roses have risen by 75 per cent. Jasmine is now being sold between Rs 250 and Rs 300 a kg, up from Rs 150, two weeks back. Likewise, prices of roses have risen from Rs 250 to Rs 400 per 100 pieces now. Even seasonal flowers like orchids, dianthus, calandula and genia which are being grown in some parts of the State and mostly brought from Bangalore are scarcely available. Nikhila Utkal Flower Vendors Association member N C Pradhan said the situation would continue for another two months till new flowers arrive in the market.Meanwhile, with prices of flowers shooting up, people are having to make do with artificial ones. With wedding season on, florists are stocking artificial flowers for decoration purposes. “A bunch of 100 red roses cost Rs 150 to Rs 200 in the last marriage season. But it has gone up to Rs 400 now. We have bought good synthetic flowers. They cost a bit more but they last as long as you need them. They can be used in three or four weddings, thus saving cost,” said Lamodar Mallick of Maa Mangala Puspalaya at Badambadi.