Flower supply hit as farmers shift to other crops fearing loss

Price of jasmine and Kanakambara shoot up during festive season

Last year, during the festival season of Shravana month, Bengaluru was reeling under the first wave of COVID-19. This year, the festive spirit has taken hold of the city, with people visiting markets and gatherings. However, citizens were shocked to find the price of flowers skyrocketing during Varamahalakshmi festival, while vendors cited short supply as the reason. A kilo of jasmine buds was trading at ₹2,000, at least two-and-a-half times its usual cost. Kanakambara, usually in demand for the festival, was selling in the range of ₹1,400 to ₹1,800 a kilo. Even marigolds and chrysanthemums were in demand, but their prices were on expected lines - ₹200 to ₹300 a kilo. “There is a severe shortage of supply of flowers this year. The recent rain has also caused crop loss,” said G.M. Divakar, president, K.R. Market Flower Merchants’ Association. K.R. Market is one of the largest flower markets in the State.