DINDIGUL: Fall in production owing to sharp showers and lukewarm response from buyers in and outside the State has brought down the prices of flowers to rock bottom at the wholesale market in Dindigul. The flower market here dispatches several quintals of flowers to places like Coimbatore, Thanjavur, Chidambaram, Tiruvarur, Vellore and Chennai and to Kerala every day. With the sharp fall in arrival of buyers, the volume of business has come down drastically, leaving flower growers in lurch.
While prices of oleander fell down to Rs.10 from Rs.50 in just four days, the rates of jasmine nose-dived to Rs.50, which were hovering between Rs.100 and Rs.120. Similarly, Sendu Malli (another variety of jasmine) too went down, as there were not takers even for Rs.20 a kg, 50 per cent down in a week. Sevanthi variety that was bought at Rs.60 was oscillating between Rs.20 and Rs.25. Bangalore jasmine alone ruled high, thanks to the consistent demand. Its prices remained intact at Rs.80 a kg. Prices of rose too slipped to Rs.10 per kg from a comfortable Rs.50 a kg.
“Low consumer demand has forced us to mark down several varieties of flowers,” say commission agents.
“Normally, buyers visit the bazaar in large numbers during festival and marriage seasons. Outstation buyers are reluctant, as marketing will be a tough task during rainy days. Transportation is also a tough task,” they added.
Above all, flowers will not blossom during rainy days, said farmers. “Naturally, poor arrival will automatically scale up demand and increase prices, but it is negative in flowers as there are no takers. Sale price does not match even freight charges. We have to shell out bus fare from our pockets to return home. Leaving flowers in plants will reduce the loss considerably. At least we save plucking charges.”
Clear sky and warm breeze on Sunday have offered a ray of hope to farmers and commission agents as a respite from rain before Deepavali would certainly push up flower prices
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