CHENNAI: Ahead of New Year festivities, flower prices have risen sharply across Tamil Nadu due to strong demand and reduced supply. At the V O C. Flower Market in Salem, a kilogram of gundu malli (button jasmine) was sold for as high as Rs 2,000 on Thursday, surprising many buyers.

The yield of gundu malli has been severely affected by cold weather conditions, resulting in limited arrivals at markets. This supply shortage, coupled with festive demand, has led to a steep rise in prices, said a Daily Thanthi report.

Prices of other flowers also climbed significantly. Chinna malli was sold at Rs 1,200 per kg, jathi malli at Rs 720, kanakambaram at Rs 1,000, and mullai at Rs 1,200. Small red roses were priced at Rs 100 per kg, while paneer rose fetched Rs 160. Sampangi was sold at Rs 160, red arali at Rs 240, chrysanthemum (samandhi) ranged between Rs 50 and Rs 100, kaakattan at Rs 200, Yercaud hill kaakattan at Rs 120, and nandhiyavattam at Rs 80 per kg.

Similar trends were reported elsewhere in the State. At the Usilampatti flower market in Madurai district, jasmine was sold at Rs 2,000 per kg, while mullai fetched Rs 1,000. In Tirupur, jasmine prices touched Rs 2,400 per kg. Flower prices have also increased at the Thovalai flower market in Kanyakumari district.