Rose markets hit by unforeseen causes; prices to surge this Valentine’s
The Hindu
The production of roses and other flowers has been low with over 30% of growers abandoning the occupation after COVID-19.
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.
Usually, roses are sold in the local markets for ₹5 per stem in the September-October months. The same period in 2021 saw the prices soaring to ₹15 and ₹18 a stem, before it peaked to ₹25 in December. Prices remain high in the ₹12-15 range as the demand and supply gap is only widening, industry watchers.
The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.