Ordering flowers is no more a luxury but a necessity for most occasions, be it religious, corporate or family functions. Catering to the huge demand in the Indian state of Goa and with a vast variety of flowers now available nearly throughout the year, it is common to find a small florist store in every corner of the street.
“We now get local supply for anthurium, gerbera, heliconia, alpinia and orchids from Goan floriculturists that helps in prolonging the vase life of the flowers and cuts on the logistics cost charged by us to out stationed suppliers,” says Lynette Alphonso, owner, Garden Glory, Panjim. “However despite the local supply, we have to rely on out stationed supplies for bulk orders,” she reveals.
Flower cultivation has picked up in the state but the supply is not consistent and florists have to depend on supplies from Pune, Banglore, Kolahpur and Belgaum. Truckloads of flowers arrive every day on regular basis. “About 60 per cent of the supplies are from outside the state while the remaining 30 per cent comes from Goa itself,” says Lalit Kumar Agarwal, owner, Florance Flora, Panaji.
He points out that the supply from local flower farms is decent but the humid weather means that the state is not suitable for all varieties and hence requires backup from other states as well. “We supply to hotels and work on a contract system so if we default in our supplies because of a shortage in stock in the state it will affect our business”.