Festival demand triggers rise in flower, fruit & vegetable prices

 With the festive season setting in, prices of flowers have skyrocketed, and those of fruits and vegetables may see an increase in the next few days.

At Hopcoms outlets, the price variation is between Rs 5 and Rs 10.

A series of festivals begin this week including Dasara, Ayudha Puja and Deepavali. As these are major festivals, people buy flowers and fruits in large quantities. Demand for flowers would be more as vehicles, houses and household articles are decorated with flowers for Ayudha Puja.

Despite increasing prices, there is some solace as the price of onions has come down.

Onions were priced between Rs 50 and 60 a kg a month ago, while the prices were between Rs 40 and 50 a week ago. The price of onions this week is between Rs 15 and 20.

“Top quality onions are being sold between Rs 35 and 40. Large quantities of onions are supplied from Challakere and Chitradurga. Farmers in these areas cut onion crops much before the harvest period which affects the quality. Low quality onions are priced less,” says Sairam, member, Yeshwantpur APMC. Top quality onions would reach the markets in about three weeks, he added.

Prices of ash gourd and banana plant stems have increased. A pair of banana stems were sold between Rs 30 and 40 a week ago. One kg of ash gourd was priced between Rs 8 and 10, but this week, the price has been around Rs 30.

According to merchants at KR Market, the price hike is normal during the festive season. There is a huge demand for flowers, while the supply is less, triggering the price rise.