After brisk business on festival days, flower sale dips 20 pc at Koyambedu

Chennai: “The flower business was dull in the last couple of years, as festival celebrations had come to a halt due to lockdown restrictions. Most temples were also closed. With no sale, many vendors set up their own shops by purchasing directly from the farmer. We were badly affected all these days, and at least over 10 tonnes of flowers were wasted daily,” explained S Mookandi, a wholesale flower trader at Koyambedu wholesale market.

But for the past three days, he said there had been brisk sales. “In addition to the local demand across the State, we also send flowers to Kerala. So the prices went up due to demand after a long gap. We’re happy,” he smiled.

However, towards the end of the festive season — Puthaandu, Vishu, Good Friday and Easter — demand for flowers came down, and prices fell by at least 20 per cent. Traders said that till May both sale and rates would remain stable or may even dip further.

“Due to shortage in supply, prices were reduced by 10-20 per cent today. Also, for the next month or so, there are no temple festivals. We expect the prices of various flowers to dip and business to be dull,” said Rajan K, another trader at Koyambedu market.