Not a ‘rosy’ Valentine’s Day for Hosur as exports slump by half

Exports to Europe, Southeast Asian countries and the Gulf have plummeted by nearly 50 per cent from Hosur, a hub for the production of premium quality roses in Tamil Nadu. The demand has dipped from countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, which have a sizeable Chinese population, thanks to the Chinese New Year which begins on February 16 this year. Many of the residents have left for their hometowns in the mainland to ring in the celebrations. 

Flower exports to Maldives; a popular tourist destination for Valentine’s Day, have already been badly hit due to the declaration of an emergency. Exports to Australia have also stopped as they have made it mandatory to fumigate the flowers by the supplier. Fumigation may cause flowers to wither fast and can’t be exported. “About 50 lakh stems exported annually to SEA countries and Middle East from Hosur during Valentine’s Day have been affected due to unfavourable conditions,” said Bala Siva Prasad, president, Hosur Small Farmers’ Association. The gulf countries, a major importer of exotic flowers during this season, have also started preferring roses produced in African countries for their better quality and cheaper pricing. 

“A stem of a premium red rose like Taj Mahal was traded for Rs 26 last year during Valentine’s Day in Dubai. This time around, Kenya has been selling even better quality flowers for only Rs 18 to Gulf countries forcing a cut in our rates too. African countries were able to produce flowers at a lesser price due to availability of cheap labour, presence of copious water and fertile soil,” Prasad added. 

Rose growers said that emerging rose producers like Pune have also eaten into the share of exports made from Hosur to European nations. They claimed this year was the worst compared to last decade. Exports, which stood at 45 lakh stems being sent, have come down to 25 lakh stems. 

Production of cut flowers has also fallen from 75 lakh stems last year to 55 lakh stems this year. Drop in production has been attributed to spread of downy mildew disease and unfavourable climatic conditions. Extremely cold nights have taken a toll on the quality of flowers.   

Rose growers also claimed that there has been poor demand in domestic markets due to lack of auspicious days since January 26. Nearly 4,000 farmers (green house and open house) produce over 10,00 varieties of roses in about 6,000 acres of land in Hosur.