Cut flower consignments from Bangalore to Hyderabad have fallen drastically by 50 per cent due to crisis in Andhra Pradesh over bifurcation of the State.
“Normally after monsoon, daily shipment of cut flowers (mainly roses) to Hyderabad is around one lakh stems. Now, due to crisis, it is down to 30,000-50,000 stems,” said Jayaprakash Rao, General Secretary, South India Floriculture Association (SIFA).
“The flower consignments to Hyderabad are transported by road. Disruption in road transport from Bangalore due to bandhs and dharnas has led to confusion among the growers as to which market to cater and their confidence level has also down,” he added.
For Bangalore rose growers, Hyderabad is a major market followed by Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mangalore and Kerala.
The loss of Andhra Pradesh market has led to the fall in cut flowers prices at the International Flower Auctions Bangalore (IFAB) as well. For the last two months, prices have fallen by 20-25 per cent. “Growers, on an average, get Rs 3 for a stem. Now, it is trading around Rs 2.25,” said Rao. “The growers are missing the marriage season in Andhra Pradesh but are busy making plans to cater to Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi and Mangalore markets,” said senior official of IFAB. Other markets normally buy roses, but this year, they are flooded with tulips, gerberas and orchids. Karnataka’s annual cut flower production is estimated between 9-10 lakh stems. Of this, around two lakh enter the IFAB auction platforms and the rest are traded in unorganised markets. In addition to loss of key market and fall in prices, severe power cuts in rural areas have also affected rose growers. “Rose growers, especially in and around Bangalore, are facing severe power cuts. This is hampering our farm operations,” said Rao. “For the last two-three weeks, we are experiencing dry weather conditions. We need power to irrigate the green houses and also to operate cold storage and pack houses,” he added. The flower growing belt of Doddaballapur, Bangalore rural and Chikkaballabpur near Bangalore has been partially affected.