Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Oct 17: Navaratri festival has begun. There is tremendous demand for jasmine now but the harvest has been woefully short as compared to demand. That is why this flower has hit the roof and has been commanding maximum price fixed for it since a week.
On Friday, the maximum price of Rs 1,250 was fixed at Shankarapura Mallige Katte. But in the market, it was sold at Rs 1,600. As the Bhatkal jasmine supply has not been enough to meet the demand, it is being priced at Rs 1,250 at the Katte and Rs 1,400 outside.
As only 15 percent of jasmine supply is being met now, the people are turning towards Jaaji (jessamine), another variant of jasmine. As such, this flower has also crossed Rs 1,000-mark. It is sold at Rs 850 per Atte at Shankarapura Katte and the outside rate is between Rs 900 and Rs 1,100. Because of heavy rains, jasmine plants are damaged and harvest has steeply fallen. However, Jaaji crops have not suffered much.