Rose markets hit by rising freight charges and unseasonal rains
The Hindu
This has resulted in a surge in prices in the run-up to Valentine’s Day
The pandemic has upended the way we live and love, but roses remain a sought-after symbol on Valentine’s Day. While demand and exports have risen when compared to the past two years, rising freight charges, unseasonal rains, and lack of new varieties are exposing the thornier side of this rosy picture.Floriculturists are feeling acutely with increasing cost of production of roses and hike in the price of international cargo.
The production of roses and other flowers has been low with over 30% of growers abandoning the occupation after COVID-19. This, along with constant rains in August-September-October, has created a huge supply shortage in the market and subsequently, prices of all varieties of flowers went up by nearly 200% to 300%, as compared to pre-pandemic levels.