Jambagh, the city’s ground-zero for wholesale market of flowers is buzzing with hectic activity these days. This is the season when big bucks flow into the market. Needless to say, the flowers themselves have become very expensive, thanks to the back to back festivals lined up, including Bathukamma, Dasara and Diwali.
With the government declaring Bathukamma a State festival and announced that it should be celebrated in a big way, there is a mad rush among people to prepare Bathukammas. Every nook and corner of the city now witness Bathukamma events and political parties and various organisations are conducting special programmes.
The colourful Chamanti (Chrysanthemum), which usually sells for a maximum of Rs. 50 per kg during normal days is now selling anywhere between Rs. 150 and Rs. 200. This is not all, as the important dates of Dasara and Diwali festivities approach, the prices will see another round of upward revision.
“During this season, Chamanti flowers are not grown locally in Telangana region. They are brought from Hosur and Bangalore and that’s why there is a lot of input costs. Moreover, the Dasara and Bathukamma festivities have also resulted in a further increase in the demand for flowers in Hyderabad,” says Srinivas Reddy of Bal Reddy Sai Reddy flower wholesalers at Jambagh.
Big wholesale traders at Jambagh during this season between July and October import up to 800 kgs of flowers to meet the demand. The flower market in Hyderabad depends on seasons in Hyderabad. “Apart from marriage season, the festival season, especially Navratri and now Bathukamma drive up the demand and sales. June to August during monsoons is the leanest period of the year,” Mr. Srinivas explained.
In all, there are around 100 to 120 wholesale flower merchants in Hyderabad. “Last week, Banti (Marigold) was selling at around Rs. 10 per kg, but now it is around Rs. 40 to Rs. 50. But, in another few days, the rates could touch Rs. 80 per kg,” said Sai Kiran Yadav, another wholesaler in Jambagh.
The cost of the most used flowers in festivals like marigold, roses and chrysanthemum are expected to reach normalcy in another month. “By October end, usually the local supplies of flowers from Ranga Reddy and other Telangana districts start arriving to the wholesale markets in Hyderabad. During important festivals like Dasara and Diwali prices are always high,” says Venka Rao, a wholesaler at Gudi Malkapur, which receives flower produce from nearby mandals.
