Flower vendors across the twin cities are struggling this festive season as rates remain low and wastage high. Just days after a steep hike during Ganesh Chaturthi, prices crashed during Bathukamma, leaving sellers disappointed.

At Gudimalkapur flower market, the city's biggest wholesale hub, the usual festive buzz was missing. Flowers sourced from Karnataka's Chikballapur, Anekal, Hosur, Bengaluru, and even Maharashtra, were stacked in piles but failed to fetch good prices.

"This year marigold rates have fallen badly. This market is very unpredictable, and we are at its mercy," said B Vijaykumar, who has been selling flowers here for 16 years. He pointed out that marigolds, which usually sell at Rs 80 per kg, were going for just Rs 50. "Heavy rainfall led to surplus yield. Flowers are cheaper, but they don't sell fast enough, and we end up wasting so much. Customers come, but they are mostly individuals, not bulk buyers."
 

Source: www.floraldaily.com