"India: "Goa’s flower consumption is blooming"
Florance Flora is a Bangalore based florist group that has outlets in select states. Goa figures highly in the group’s plans due to robust consumption. The group has also commenced production in the state and set up an orchid farm over an area of four acres. Thanks to in-house production the five outlets are 50 per cent reliant, says Agarwal. In 2003 when he set up the first outlet in Panjim nearly 90 per cent of supplies came in from outside. However over the years the dependence on outside supply has reduced and currently the chain imports only half of its flower requirement from outside.
The group is connected to 16 flower companies based in Holland and as a result the Goa stores receive a good selection of imported flowers during peak season time. Goa, points out Agarwal, is perhaps the only state that gives the highest subsidies for floriculture. It is bringing new growers into the fray and Agarwal is hopeful that new farmers will continue to be the trend for the future.
Charting his progress in the flower industry Agarwal says that the early years were tough and there was a lean patch after he opened the first outlet in Panjim. There were days when he had no customers and even Rs 500 worth of sale had him jumping for joy. However things started improving and currently he is quite stable financially.
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