Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (MS)

Karkala, Aug 2: Flowers are in high demand as the Shravan month has begun. Shravan month is full of festivals like Nagara Panchami, Varamahalaxmi pooja, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi etc. Hence, there is a huge requirement of flowers for these auspicious occasions.

People do not mind paying double the usual rate for flowers in this season. During rainy season demand for flowers is not much. So the rates were low. However, the increase in prices has brought smile on the face of flower growers.

In the markets of Karkala, Hebri and Udupi, flowers are sold at Rs 50 to Rs 100 for one hand length. Shankarapura Jasmine usually costs Rs 600 to Rs 800 per stack. Now it is being sold at Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000. Zinnias were sold last time at Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. The rate this year has touched Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000.

Other flowers are sold at Rs 200 to Rs 500 per bunch. Kakada flower is having good demand and is being sold at Rs 900 to Rs 1,200.

A flower vendor of Ajekaru says, “We get supplies of flowers from Pavagada, Shivamogga, Bengaluru, Chitradurga and Mysuru. Due to bad weather, the supply is not meeting the demand. Hence, the prices have shot up.”

A consumer of Shirlalu says, “The rates of flowers have increased this year. This cause extra burden to consumers. The flowers were being sold at reasonable price a few days ago. Now, suddenly the price is doubled. This has brought agony to us.”