The flower markets in the State are affected by the cancellation of festival celebrations by the public and private sectors after the floods.
Kerala is a major market for flowers arriving from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka daily.
During the Onam season, all types of flowers are in great demand in the State. But this year, the cancellation of Onam festivities following the floods and the absence of Pookkalams (floral carpets) in houses and institutions severely hit the flower markets. Private functions were confined to indoors without flower decorations.
“The low demand for personal use by women has also affected the market. Marriages are being held without much celebration these days,” said an employee of a flower shop at Kattappana.
Depending on the supply and demand, the prices of various varieties of flowers fluctuate. Flowers used to be an integral part of the Malayali festivals and the markets here decided the prices.
The price of a kilogram of jasmine had reached ₹7,500 to ₹8,000 by the end of January, but dropped to ₹400 later, though its supply had not increased.
In addition to the cost of flowers, the shop owners have to bear transportation charges too. As the shelf life of flowers is too short, if they are not sold on the same day, the vendors have to bear huge losses. Moreover, the prices have a tendency to fluctuate within hours.
There was a bumper production of marigold in Tamil Nadu this season. However, the crops cultivated in view of the Onam market couldn’t fetch the expected prices.
Cumbom Valley, Dindigul, Uthamapalayam and Seelayampatti are the main areas where farms cultivating flowers like marigold, chrysanthemum, and jasmine are located.
The price of one kilo of rose which had touched ₹250 has dropped to ₹100 and below now.
Many areas in Marayur and the high range areas where cultivation of flowering plants like marigold was taken up suffered huge damage in the rain.
Though the State is slowly returning to normalcy, the flower markets in the State may take a long time to revive.