COIMBATORE: The price of flowers has doubled at the flower market here ahead of Onam festival. Presently, Chrysanthemum (Sevanti) and Frangipani (Sampangi) which arrived to the market is sold at Rs 280 per kg.
The demand is high ahead of Onam as Keralites use these flowers to design the Athapookalam during the festival. Likewise, a kilogram of Jasmine and Ghanera (Arali) is sold at Rs 600 and Rs 280 respectively, while it was just Rs 200 and Rs 70 respectively a few days earlier.
Traders from various parts of Kerala and a considerable number of Keralites thronged the city to procure flowers from the flower market here. Yet traders here feel that they have not got enough profits this season.
SLA Hakkim, a trader in the market here said that plenty of traders are heading to Salem and Madurai markets where the price of flower was cheaper compared to the Coimbatore market.
“The flower market in the city is the biggest market in Tamil Nadu, and that’s why the price of various flowers have been constantly at the higher end. The price of flowers will come down from Saturday,” he added.
According M Rajendren, president of Thiyagai Kumaran (TK) Vegetable Market, “Members of the public and traders alike have completed their purchase on Tuesday evening itself, as the products have to reach all parts of Kerala ahead of Onam.”
“The price of onion per kg has come down by about Rs 10. In the last four days, after the Maharastra and Delhi governments started taking steps against the traders who hoarded the product,” said Rajendren.
PV Badhiru Dheen, vice-president of TK Vegetable Market said, “Compared to last year, the price of all vegetables has remained low ahead of Onam.”