During the week of Valentine's, Nepal witnessed a significant trade of Dutch Roses, with approximately 350,000 units being exchanged across the nation, generating a revenue of Rs 35 million, as reported by the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN). This period, spanning from February 7 to February 14, sees a surge in the demand for red-colored stem roses, a symbol of love and affection.
FAN's President, Min Bahadur Tamang, highlighted the growing trend of expressing love through roses on Valentine's Day, which has led to an increased demand for these flowers. In the Kathmandu Valley alone, 200,000 stems were sold, with an additional 140,000 roses distributed in other cities. To meet this demand, Nepal relies heavily on imports, with 90% of the roses sourced from New Delhi and Kolkata, India. Tamang emphasized that while domestic production suffices for other seasons, Valentine's Day necessitates importing 315,000 units out of the required 350,000 from India due to limited winter production in Nepal.
According to Tamang, the cost of importing roses ranges from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per unit, with the selling price fluctuating between Rs 80 to Rs 120, depending on quality. Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 on rose cultivation, Nepal sees a daily demand for 8,000 to 10,000 stems on average, a number that significantly increases during Valentine's week. The Kathmandu Valley accounts for 60% of the imported roses' consumption, with the rest distributed across other cities. Efforts to expand commercial rose farming beyond the traditional districts of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, and Kavrepalanchok are underway, aiming to enhance domestic production and meet the seasonal demand.
Source: myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com