The price of one kg of Jasmine zoomed to Rs. 2,000 on Saturday at the Thovalai flower market, one of the biggest markets in south Tamil Nadu.
Traders attributed the hike to the start of the marriage season. The price ruled at Rs.700 on Friday, said Rajendran, a leading trader.
He told The Hindu that the market was the biggest in south Tamil Nadu, where hundreds of farmers from Oddanchatram in Dindigul district and other areas brought their produce. As the market is close to Kerala, thousands of buyers from across the border thronged it.
Continuous rains in the last fortnight and the subsequent formation of mist were affecting the production. This could be one of the reasons for the hike, Mr. Rajendran said.
The other flowers were also sold at higher prices at the Thovalai market.
A kg of Pichipoo went for Rs. 900; Arali Rs. 250; Kozhipoo Rs. 75; Granthi Rs. 90; Red Grandhi Rs. 80; Vaadamalli Rs. 60; Button Rose Rs. 200; and Sampangi Rs. 150.
With the marriage season setting in and production falling, the prices might rule at the present level for some more days, traders said.
