Export of cut roses from this city for Valentine's Day surged by 25 percent this year as demand for best varieties in international markets outpaced supply, a trade representative said Saturday.
"Around five million roses were exported from Bengaluru this season for Valentine's Day in many countries, including Australia, Britain, Europe, Gulf region, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore. There is a good demand for cut roses of different colours and sizes from overseas buyers," International Flower Auction Bangalore Ltd administrator R.R. Juchani told IANS here.
Though 2-2.5 lakh roses are auctioned on average daily through the year, overseas demand for special occasions like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day results in sales crossing over 3-3.5 lakh roses daily since January.
"There is a 25 percent increase in export of cut roses this year from four million in 2014 despite competition due to variety, quality and their freshness with longer durability," Juchani said.
Salubrious climate and low humidity around the city and in the neighbouring Kolar and Ramanagara districts in the state's southern region help producers to grow a number of stem flowers, especially roses, with and without fragrance.
"A variety of flowers, especially red roses are grown to the tune of 1.5 million stems daily in the region on 250 hectares of fertile land by farmers and floriculturists. Producers from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also sell their flowers at our auctioned where prices for each stem are between Rs.8-15 per rose stem," IFAB managing director C.G. Nagaraju said.
Rising demand in the domestic market also led to 5-20 percent growth in auction sales in first two weeks of this month, as many people, especially urban youth celebrate Valentine's Day in cities and metros across the country.
According to cargo partners at the city international airport, a record 300 tonnes of cut flowers, including marigolds and lilies were shipped abroad during the first fortnight of this month from Bengaluru, which accounts for about 70 percent of the country's exports.
