Rose markets hit by unforeseen causes; prices to surge this Valentine’s

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.