Heavy and intermittent rain in Maharashtra over the past couple of months has affected the business of flower vendors this monsoon, causing a significant increase in prices just as Ganeshotsav begins. While customers blamed the festive season for the surge in prices of flowers across the city, flower vendors said this had happened due to a drop in supply and the damage caused by rain.
P Subbiah, president of the Matunga Flower Merchants Association, comprising nearly fifty shops, usually takes a loan of Rs 2.5 lakh [3,500 USD] from the bank every year as “floating money” during the Ganesh festival to stock as many flowers as possible before selling them. This year, he had to increase the principal amount to Rs 3.5 lakh [4,860 USD]. Flowers to the Matunga market come from Nashik, Kolhapur, Solapur, Vasai, Sangli, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Flowers such as ‘Madras Malli’ and ‘Bangalore Malli’ sourced from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka cost nearly Rs 1,200 [17 USD] per kg as against Rs 300 [4 USD]. For 100 roses, the cost is nearly Rs 300 [4 USD] per kg. Chamba is priced at Rs 200 [3 USD] for 100 flowers. A small bundle of tulsi leaves, usually priced at Rs 20 [0.28 USD] per bundle is being sold for Rs 50 [0.69 USD]. Marigold costs Rs 100 [1.40 USD] per kg as against Rs 40 [0.56 USD].