By james art Kathmandu, October 26: The incessant rains that took place on September 27 and 28 caused significant damage to the flower business as well. As a result, the price of Sayapatri or Marigold flowers is expected to go up during the upcoming Tihar festival
The flowers which had just started blooming were damaged due to the rain resulting in a loss of about Rs. 150 million, said Dilip Bade, chairman of the Nepal Florist Association.
For the upcoming Tihar festival, 1.5 million garlands will be imported from India. Bade said last year the price was Rs 65 to Rs 70 per garland but this year the wholesale price will be around Rs 80 to Rs 85 per garland.
This year there is a demand of 700,000 Sayapatri flower garlands compared to last year. Last year, 3.3 million garlands were sold during the Tihar festival. Of the total market demand for flower garlands, 60 percent is in the Kathmandu Valley. There is a market demand for 4 million garlands of Sayaparti flowers for this year’s festival.
According to the Florists Association, though the market demand for this year’s Tihar festival is 4 million garlands, local production is only 2.5 million garlands. Market demand increases by 15 to 20 percent each year, but production increases by only 10 percent at most.
With the increase in demand for flowers, flower cultivation has expanded to 52 districts including Kaski, Chitwan, Makwanpur, Kavrepalanchok, Gulmi, Palpa, Dhading, Morang along with three districts of Kathmandu Valley. (RSS)
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